corner kick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Technical/Sports
Quick answer
What does “corner kick” mean?
A free kick taken from the corner of the field, awarded when the ball passes over the goal line after last being touched by a defending player.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A free kick taken from the corner of the field, awarded when the ball passes over the goal line after last being touched by a defending player.
A key set-piece situation in association football (soccer) that provides an attacking opportunity; by extension, any critical opportunity or situation arising from an opponent's error.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in form and meaning. The sport is called 'football' in the UK and 'soccer' in the US, but the term 'corner kick' is standard in both when discussing the sport.
Connotations
In the UK, it's a fundamental part of the national sport's terminology. In the US, it marks the speaker as knowledgeable about soccer, distinguishing it from more dominant American sports.
Frequency
Very high frequency in UK sports discourse. Moderate-to-high in US soccer discourse, but lower overall frequency in general American media due to soccer's secondary status.
Grammar
How to Use “corner kick” in a Sentence
[Team/Player] won a corner kick.[Team/Player] took the corner kick.[Team/Player] scored directly from a corner kick.The referee awarded a corner kick.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corner kick” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They managed to corner-kick their way back into the game. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- The team needs to corner-kick better in the final third. (rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He practised his corner-kick delivery for hours. (hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- Their corner-kick routine is very creative. (hyphenated attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically: 'The new contract was a corner kick for the struggling department.'
Academic
Used in sports science, kinesiology, or sociology papers analysing football tactics.
Everyday
Primarily in discussions about football matches. 'Did you see the goal from that corner kick?'
Technical
Precise term in football laws, coaching manuals, and match commentary to describe Law 17.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corner kick”
- Using 'corner' alone in initial explanation for learners unfamiliar with football. Saying 'corner hit' instead of 'corner kick'. Confusing it with 'free kick' (taken from elsewhere).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard form is two separate words: 'corner kick'. The hyphenated form is occasionally seen when the term is used attributively (e.g., a corner-kick routine), but 'corner kick' is preferred.
Yes, it is possible and is known as an 'Olympic goal' or simply 'scoring directly from a corner'. It is rare at the professional level.
A corner kick is for the attacking team when the ball goes over the goal line after last touching a defender. A goal kick is for the defending team when the ball goes over the goal line after last touching an attacker.
Because the kick is taken from within the quarter-circle at the corner of the pitch, marked by a corner flag.
A free kick taken from the corner of the field, awarded when the ball passes over the goal line after last being touched by a defending player.
Corner kick is usually informal, technical/sports in register.
Corner kick: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːnə kɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːrnər kɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From a corner kick to a goal”
- “Life's a corner kick (rare, metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the ball going OUT at the CORNER, so you KICK it back IN.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN OPPORTUNITY IS A SET-PIECE; A SECOND CHANCE IS A FREE KICK FROM THE CORNER.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'corner kick' exclusively used?