cover point: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/AdvancedTechnical/Sports, primarily cricket. Literary/figurative use is very rare.
Quick answer
What does “cover point” mean?
A specific fielding position in cricket, typically situated on the off side, roughly level with the batsman and between point and extra cover.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific fielding position in cricket, typically situated on the off side, roughly level with the batsman and between point and extra cover.
The term can also be used metaphorically in non-sporting contexts to refer to a position of strategic observation or a point from which something is monitored or protected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively British and Commonwealth due to the popularity of cricket. It is virtually unknown in general American English and has no equivalent in baseball. In the US, it would only be understood by cricket enthusiasts.
Connotations
In the UK/Commonwealth: Technical, sporting. In the US: Obscure, foreign.
Frequency
High frequency in UK cricket commentary and writing. Extremely low to zero frequency in general American discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “cover point” in a Sentence
[Bowler] pitched it up and [Batsman] drove straight to the fielder at cover point.The captain placed a specialist fielder at cover point to cut off the drive.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Only in academic writing about sports history, sociology of sport, or cricket coaching manuals.
Everyday
Only in everyday conversation among cricket fans or players.
Technical
The primary context. Used in cricket commentary, coaching, rulebooks, and match reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cover point”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cover point”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cover point”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He cover-pointed the ball').
- Assuming it's a general term for any defensive position.
- Spelling as one word ('coverpoint' is a less common variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words: 'cover point'. The hyphenated form 'cover-point' and the single word 'coverpoint' are less frequent variants.
Only if you are talking about cricket. It is not a general English phrase and will not be understood outside that specific sporting context, especially in countries where cricket isn't popular.
They are adjacent positions. 'Cover point' is slightly squarer (closer to a line perpendicular to the batsman), while 'extra cover' is straighter (more directly in front of the batsman on the off side). The exact positioning can vary.
No, baseball's fielding positions and their naming conventions are completely different. There is no direct equivalent to 'cover point' in baseball.
A specific fielding position in cricket, typically situated on the off side, roughly level with the batsman and between point and extra cover.
Cover point is usually technical/sports, primarily cricket. literary/figurative use is very rare. in register.
Cover point: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvə pɔɪnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌvər pɔɪnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a fielder whose job is to COVER the area just behind the 'POINT' fielder. COVER + POINT = Cover Point.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPORTING POSITIONS ARE STRATEGIC MILITARY POSTS (e.g., 'stationed at cover point', 'holding the position').
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'cover point' used?