Mnemonic WordsLearn English vocabulary with spaced repetition
РусскийУкраїнськаEnglish

English vocabulary by topic

Sports vocabulary in English

Popular team and individual sports, with a practical guide to choosing play, go or do.

Go to the words

Sport names and the verbs they take

The collection includes ball games such as football, tennis, basketball and volleyball, endurance activities such as swimming, running and cycling, and skiing, boxing, golf, yoga and hockey.

Use play with many games: play tennis. Go commonly comes before -ing activities: go swimming. Use do with activities such as yoga. Learn the whole combination rather than the sport name alone.

Vocabulary

Words in this topic

Use the speaker icon to hear each word in British English.

  • football — a team game in which players kick a ball into a goal

    football

    IPA: /ˈfʊtˌbɔːl/

    a team game in which players kick a ball into a goal

  • tennis — a game in which players hit a ball over a net with rackets

    tennis

    IPA: /ˈtɛnɪs/

    a game in which players hit a ball over a net with rackets

  • swimming — the sport or activity of moving through water

    swimming

    IPA: /ˈswɪmɪŋ/

    the sport or activity of moving through water

  • running — the sport or activity of moving quickly on foot

    running

    IPA: /ˈrʌnɪŋ/

    the sport or activity of moving quickly on foot

  • cycling — the sport or activity of riding a bicycle

    cycling

    IPA: /ˈsaɪklɪŋ/

    the sport or activity of riding a bicycle

  • basketball — a team game in which players throw a ball through a high hoop

    basketball

    IPA: /ˈbɑːskɪtˌbɔːl/

    a team game in which players throw a ball through a high hoop

  • volleyball — a team game in which players hit a ball over a high net

    volleyball

    IPA: /ˈvɒlɪˌbɔːl/

    a team game in which players hit a ball over a high net

  • skiing — the sport or activity of moving over snow on skis

    skiing

    IPA: /ˈskiːɪŋ/

    the sport or activity of moving over snow on skis

  • boxing — a sport in which two people fight using padded gloves

    boxing

    IPA: /ˈbɒksɪŋ/

    a sport in which two people fight using padded gloves

  • golf — a game in which players hit a small ball into a series of holes

    golf

    IPA: /ɡɒlf/

    a game in which players hit a small ball into a series of holes

  • yoga — an activity using body positions and breathing for strength and relaxation

    yoga

    IPA: /ˈjəʊɡə/

    an activity using body positions and breathing for strength and relaxation

  • hockey — a team game played with sticks and a ball or puck

    hockey

    IPA: /ˈhɒkɪ/

    a team game played with sticks and a ball or puck

01

How to remember these words

  1. Sort the cards into three groups headed play, go and do.
  2. Write a one-week exercise schedule in English.
  3. Explain which sports you watch and which ones you take part in.

02

Useful phrases

We play football every Saturday.

Play is the usual verb for a competitive team game.

She goes swimming twice a week.

Go plus an -ing form describes many recreational activities.

I do yoga in the morning.

Do is natural with yoga and many exercise routines.

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

When should I use play, go or do with a sport?

Use play with games and competitions, as in play football. Go often precedes an -ing activity, as in go running. Use do with individual activities and exercise, as in do yoga.

Do football and soccer mean the same thing?

In British English, football is the usual name for the game. American English normally calls it soccer and uses football for American football.

How can I ask someone which sport they do?

Natural questions include What sports do you play? and Do you do any sport? The first is especially useful for games.

Explore other topics

Hobbies12 wordsBody parts12 wordsDaily routine12 wordsWeather12 words

Continue in Mnemonic Words

Words stick when you come back to them

Add words from “Sports” to the app and review them in small moments — at home, on the go or whenever you have a minute.

  • Add only the words you want to learn
  • Listen and say them out loud
  • Review at a pace that suits you
Get Mnemonic Words
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

Continue in your browser

From the Mnemonic Words team

GoNative

Another language, whenever you’re ready

With GoNative, you can build a vocabulary list of your own and make steady progress at a pace that feels right.

German · French · Italian · Spanish · Portuguese · Polish

Try GoNative Available for iPhone and Android
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play