extra point
C1Informal, but technical within sports contexts.
Definition
Meaning
An additional point in sports, awarded after a touchdown in American football by kicking the ball through the goalposts; more generally, any additional or bonus point.
A credit, benefit, or advantage that is awarded in addition to what is standard or expected, often in competitive or scoring systems beyond sports (e.g., games, loyalty programs, education).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable noun compound. In its core sports sense, it is highly specific to American football. Its extended use is a metaphorical extension of that concept.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is fundamentally American, originating from and primarily used for American football (the kick after a touchdown). In British English, while understandable, the term has little native sporting application. The general concept is more likely expressed as 'bonus point'.
Connotations
In the US, it has strong, specific connotations of American football. In the UK, it sounds like an Americanism or a general term for an additional point.
Frequency
Very frequent in US sports media and casual talk about American football. Rare in UK English outside discussions of US sports or as a deliberate metaphorical borrowing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Team/Player] scored/kicked/missed an extra point.The [rule/system] awards an extra point for [action].[Subject] is worth an extra point.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable for this specific compound noun.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically in incentive schemes: 'Complete the training for an extra point towards your quarterly bonus.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in sports science or statistics discussing scoring systems.
Everyday
Common in US discussions of football games. Metaphorically used in games, quizzes, or loyalty programs: 'You get an extra point for answering the bonus question.'
Technical
Core term in American football rules and commentary.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In our game, you get an extra point if you win.
- The team missed the extra point, so they only scored six, not seven.
- Despite the controversial touchdown, the calmly executed extra point sealed the victory for the underdogs.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the EXTRA effort a kicker makes after a touchdown to get one more POINT.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS SCORE / ADVANTAGE IS ADDITIONAL QUANTITY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'экстра точка' (nonsensical). For the sports term, use 'дополнительное очко' or the specific 'реализация' (for the kick). For general use, 'бонусный балл' or 'дополнительный балл' is appropriate.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'extra time' or 'overtime' (different concept).
- Using 'extra points' (plural) as an uncountable mass noun; it is typically countable.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'extra point' a precise technical term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. Its definition and most common usage refer to the point scored after a touchdown. However, the concept is metaphorically extended to other games and scoring systems.
Both follow a touchdown. An 'extra point' is a kick through the goalposts worth 1 point. A 'two-point conversion' is an attempt to run or pass the ball into the end zone from close range, worth 2 points but riskier.
You can, but it will be recognized as an American sports term. For general meaning, 'bonus point' is more natural in British English.
It is almost exclusively a compound noun (e.g., 'an extra point'). It is not used as an adjective ('extra-point score' is non-standard).