leggie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal / Sports jargon (cricket)
Quick answer
What does “leggie” mean?
A cricket term for a leg break, a type of delivery bowled by a spin bowler where the ball turns from the leg side to the off side when bowled to a right-handed batter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cricket term for a leg break, a type of delivery bowled by a spin bowler where the ball turns from the leg side to the off side when bowled to a right-handed batter.
Informal term for a leg injury, a leg cast, or a person with long legs; also used in children's informal language for a leg.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The cricket meaning is understood in cricket-playing nations (e.g., UK, Australia). The informal 'leg' meaning is sporadic, mainly in casual UK/Irish/Australian English. In American English, the word is essentially unknown unless in specific cricket contexts.
Connotations
In cricket context: technical, skilled. In informal context: childish, playful, or medical (injury).
Frequency
Very low frequency in general corpora. Slightly higher in UK/AU corpora due to cricket, but still a niche term.
Grammar
How to Use “leggie” in a Sentence
bowl + OBJECT (leggie)have + OBJECT (a leggie)be + in + a leggie (cast)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “leggie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bowler tried to leggie him out.
adjective
British English
- He's a leggie bowler.
- She's got a leggie cast on.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used except in sports science papers discussing cricket.
Everyday
Rare, informal, often with children or in sporting conversation.
Technical
Specific to cricket terminology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “leggie”
- Using 'leggie' in formal writing.
- Assuming it's a standard word for 'leg' in any context.
- Pronouncing with a hard 'g' as in 'legion'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal, niche (cricket), or slang. It does not appear in most standard desktop dictionaries.
Absolutely not. It is inappropriate for formal contexts. Use 'leg' or the specific medical/cricket term.
Generally, no, unless they are familiar with cricket. It is not part of general American English vocabulary.
A 'leggie' (leg break) turns from leg to off side for a right-handed batter. A 'googly' is a delivery bowled with a leg-break action but which turns the opposite way (from off to leg), confusing the batter.
A cricket term for a leg break, a type of delivery bowled by a spin bowler where the ball turns from the leg side to the off side when bowled to a right-handed batter.
Leggie is usually informal / sports jargon (cricket) in register.
Leggie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɛɡi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɛɡi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be in a leggie (to have a leg in a cast)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'leggie' = LEG + 'ie' (diminutive/slang ending). It's either a little/special thing for the leg (injury, cast) or a ball that works on the LEG side.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PART FOR THE WHOLE (using 'leggie' to refer to a specific, complex bowling action).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'leggie' most formally recognized?