goal

goal — noun

1. The frame-and-net structure on a sports field that marks the scoring zone — atta

1.nounA2
Definition

The frame-and-net structure on a sports field that marks the scoring zone — attackers direct the ball into it to earn points, while the goalkeeper tries to keep it out.

Example

Tuan kicked the ball toward the goal, but it hit the post and bounced back.

toward the goal — direction of movement

The storm damaged the goal net, so the team had to cancel practice.

goal net — compound noun

Common collocations
  • shoot at goal
  • defend the goal
  • goal line
  • goal post
  • goal net
  • in front of the goal
  • toward the goal
Synonyms
  • net

    Emphasises the netting part of the goal structure; common in British football commentary.

  • posts

    Refers narrowly to the upright frame, not the whole structure including the net.

Grammar Patterns

the goal

a goal

goal + noun

Usage Note

Often used in compound nouns such as 'goal post', 'goal net', and 'goal line'. American English uses 'goal post' for both uprights; British English sometimes calls them 'goalposts' as one word.

Common Mistakes

Tuan kicked the ball toward the door.
Tuan kicked the ball toward the goal.
In sports contexts, use 'goal' not 'door' for the scoring structure.

2. A scoring event — common in games like football and hockey — where a team earns

2.nounA2
Definition

A scoring event — common in games like football and hockey — where a team earns a point by sending the ball across the line and inside the posts.

Example

Paloma scored the winning goal in the final minute of the match.

scored the winning goal — verb + object

The referee checked the video replay to decide whether the goal counted.

Common collocations
  • score a goal
  • concede a goal
  • winning goal
  • equaliser
  • own goal
  • first goal
  • late goal
Synonyms
  • score

    More general; a score can refer to points from any sport, not only goals.

  • point

    The unit of counting; one goal is worth one or more points depending on the sport.

  • touchdown

    The equivalent scoring play in American football; not interchangeable outside that sport.

Grammar Patterns

score a goal

a goal from [player]

Usage Note

In many sports (football, hockey, handball), each goal counts as one point. In basketball, scoring is described differently — 'goal' is rarely used; 'basket' or 'point' is preferred.

Common Mistakes

Obi scored a goal in basketball.
Obi scored a basket in basketball.
'Goal' for scoring is used in football, hockey, and similar sports, but not typically in basketball.

3. The role of the goalkeeper during a match — the team member stationed in front o

3.nounB1
Definition

The role of the goalkeeper during a match — the team member stationed in front of the goal whose job is to block shots and prevent any points being conceded.

Example

Tuan is in goal for the second half after the starting keeper hurt his ankle.

be in goal — position as goalkeeper

Arjun had never played in goal before, but agreed to try when nobody else would.

played in goal — verb phrase

Common collocations
  • in goal
  • play in goal
  • go in goal
  • keeper in goal
Synonyms
  • in net

    Preferred in North American English, especially for ice hockey and lacrosse.

  • between the posts

    A descriptive sports-commentary phrase, not commonly used in everyday speech.

Grammar Patterns

be in goal

play in goal

Usage Note

Common in British English. 'In goal' describes who is playing as the goalkeeper for a specific match or period. In American English, 'in the goal' or 'in net' is more common.

4. To serve as the goalkeeper on a regular or long-term basis for a particular team

4.nounB2
Definition

To serve as the goalkeeper on a regular or long-term basis for a particular team or club.

Example

Takeshi has been keeping goal for the national team for almost five years now.

keeping goal for — regular role + preposition

The club needs a reliable player to keep goal for the entire season.

Common collocations
  • keep goal
  • keep goal for
  • keep goal at
Synonyms
  • tend the goal

    American English equivalent; used in soccer and hockey commentary.

  • guard the net

    Common in North American sports, especially ice hockey.

Grammar Patterns

keep goal

keep goal for [team]

Usage Note

A more formal or traditional expression than 'play in goal'. 'Keep goal' suggests an ongoing commitment or regular position, while 'be in goal' refers to a specific match or moment. This phrase is almost exclusively British and is uncommon in modern everyday speech outside of formal sports writing.

5. A situation in a sports match where the goal area has no defending players nearb

5.nounB1
Definition

A situation in a sports match where the goal area has no defending players nearby, making it very easy for the attacking player to score.

Example

The defender slipped on the wet grass, leaving an open goal for the striker.

leaving an open goal — result of a defensive error

Adina passed the ball to Evelyn, who had an open goal in front of her.

had an open goal — possessive construction

Common collocations
  • an open goal
  • have an open goal
  • face an open goal
  • open goal opportunity
Synonyms
  • empty net

    Preferred in ice hockey; also used in football when the goalkeeper is out of position.

  • wide-open net

    Informal American usage, especially in hockey and lacrosse.

Grammar Patterns

an open goal

have an open goal

Usage Note

Often used figuratively in business or life to describe a very easy opportunity that should not be missed. Example: 'With no competition in that market, they had an open goal.'

6. Something that a person or group wants to achieve, especially after a period of

6.nounA2
Definition

Something that a person or group wants to achieve, especially after a period of planning and sustained effort — for instance, finishing a project, saving a certain amount of money, or learning a new skill.

Example

Christopher's main goal this year is to become fluent in Mandarin.

The company set a goal to cut waste by thirty percent before year's end.

set a goal to + infinitive

Common collocations
  • set a goal
  • achieve a goal
  • reach a goal
  • work toward a goal
  • long-term goal
  • short-term goal
  • career goal
  • life goal
  • personal goal
  • common goal
  • shared goal
Synonyms
  • aim

    Very similar in meaning but often used for shorter-term or more general directions rather than specific targets.

  • objective

    More formal than 'goal'; common in business, military, and academic contexts.

  • target

    Emphasises a measurable or numerical outcome; common in sales, fundraising, and fitness.

  • ambition

    Suggests a strong personal desire for long-term achievement, often requiring great effort.

Antonyms
  • obstacle

    Something that blocks progress toward a goal.

  • setback

    An event that slows or delays progress without necessarily ending it.

Grammar Patterns

set a goal

achieve a goal

goal of + gerund

goal to + infinitive

Usage Note

Often followed by 'of + gerund' (goal of becoming...) or 'to + infinitive' (goal to become...). The preposition 'of' is more common in formal writing; 'to' is more frequent in everyday speech. 'Goal' in this sense is stronger than 'wish' or 'hope' — it implies intention and effort.

Common Mistakes

My goal is become fluent.
My goal is to become fluent.
Use 'to + infinitive' or 'of + gerund' after 'goal'.

7. An informal expression used on social media platforms to show that someone or so

7.nounB1
Definition

An informal expression used on social media platforms to show that someone or something represents a lifestyle, appearance, or quality that you strongly admire and would like to have yourself.

Example

Zayd commented 'That apartment is absolute goals' under his friend's photo of a new flat.

is absolute goals — intensifier + plural noun as slang

Evelyn wrote 'This holiday is total goals' on a travel post of a Thai beach.

is total goals — slang intensifier

Common collocations
  • goals
  • absolute goals
  • total goals
  • couple goals
  • career goals
  • relationship goals
  • life goals
  • fitness goals
Synonyms
  • aspiration

    The formal equivalent; lacks the enthusiastic, slangy tone of 'goals'.

  • dream

    Similar in expressing desire, but 'dream' is more personal and less tied to social-media display.

Grammar Patterns

X is goals

X are goals

[noun] + goals

Usage Note

Almost always used as a plural noun ('goals') in this slang sense, even when referring to a single thing. Common combinations include 'career goals', 'relationship goals', 'fitness goals', 'travel goals', and 'life goals'. This usage is informal and typical of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Common Mistakes

This is a goal' (in the social media sense).
This is goals.
The slang requires the plural form 'goals' even for a single referent.

Word family

  • goalkeeper
    nounA2
  • goalpost
    nounB1
  • goalless
    adjectiveB2
  • goal-oriented
    adjectiveB2
  • goalscorer
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/6

These four words all describe something a person wants to achieve, but they differ in formality, measurability, and time frame. 'Goal' is the most versatile everyday word — it works for personal, professional, and team settings ('her goal was to finish the project by Friday'). 'Aim' is slightly more general and often points to direction rather than a specific finish line ('the company's aim is to become more sustainable'). 'Objective' is the most formal of the group; it dominates business plans, military operations, and academic research ('the primary objective of the experiment was to test the hypothesis'). 'Target' emphasises a measurable, often numerical outcome ('sales targets', 'fitness targets'). 'Ambition' is the most personal and emotionally charged — it suggests a lofty, long-term dream that requires great effort ('his ambition was to win an Olympic medal'). In everyday conversation, 'goal' and 'target' are the most practical choices; 'objective' suits written reports; 'ambition' conveys deeper personal drive.

aim ↗objective ↗target ↗ambition ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • set a goal
  • achieve a goal
  • reach a goal
  • work toward a goal
  • accomplish a goal
  • pursue a goal
  • have a goal in mind
  • meet a goal
  • goal-oriented

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'goal' entered English from Middle English 'gol', which meant a boundary or a limit. It was used in early sports to mark where players needed to send the ball. Before that, it may have come from Old English *gāl, meaning an obstacle or barrier — a fitting origin for a structure that blocks the ball while also serving as the target. The sense of 'an aim or purpose worth working toward' developed in the 1500s, extending the idea of a physical finish line into a metaphor for personal achievement.