halfback

/ˈhɑːf.bæk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhæf.bæk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhaf-ˌbak ˈhäf-/ (ame, mw)

halfback — noun

  • halfbacksingular
  • halfbacksplural

1. in sports such as rugby, soccer, or field hockey, a player whose usual position

1.名詞B2
釋義

in sports such as rugby, soccer, or field hockey, a player whose usual position is between the attacking forwards and the defensive fullbacks, helping with both attack and defence.

例句

Valentina played halfback for the school rugby team for three seasons.

play + halfback (zero-article position name)

The Argentine halfback kicked the ball over the posts to win the match.

the [nationality] halfback — common sports-report frame

同義詞
  • midfielder

    everyday term in soccer for a similar role; halfback sounds more traditional

  • scrum half

    specific rugby halfback who feeds the ball from the scrum

反義詞
  • fullback

    the deeper defensive player behind the halfback

  • forward

    the attacking player ahead of the halfback

文法句型

a/the halfback

play halfback

用法筆記

Used as a position name, often with no article after 'play' (play halfback). Subject in match reports is usually 'the [team or nationality] halfback'.

常見錯誤

❌She plays a halfback for her university.
✅She plays halfback for her university.
💡position names after 'play' take no article.

2. in American football, a player in the offensive backfield, lined up behind the q

2.名詞B2
釋義

in American football, a player in the offensive backfield, lined up behind the quarterback, whose main job is to run with the ball after taking a handoff.

例句

Christopher took the handoff from the quarterback and ran twenty yards as the halfback.

took the handoff — typical halfback action

Reuben was the team's starting halfback for two seasons at Ohio State.

starting halfback — fixed collocation in US football

同義詞
  • running back

    modern American football term; halfback is one type of running back

  • tailback

    older American football term for the same position

反義詞
  • fullback

    the blocking back in the same offensive backfield

  • quarterback

    the player who hands the ball to the halfback

文法句型

the halfback

play (at) halfback

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is American football only. The halfback here lines up behind the quarterback in the backfield and carries the ball, rather than playing midfield between forwards and fullbacks.

常見錯誤

❌The halfback scored a goal between the posts.
✅The halfback scored a touchdown.
💡in American football you score a touchdown, not a goal.