umpire
/ˈʌmpaɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʌmpaɪər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈəm-ˌpī(-ə)r/ (ame, mw) · /ˈʌm.paɪər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʌm.paɪr/ (ame, ipa)
umpire — noun
- umpiresingular
- umpiresplural
1. A person whose job is to watch a sports game such as baseball, tennis, or cricke
A person whose job is to watch a sports game such as baseball, tennis, or cricket and make sure the players follow the rules. The umpire decides whether a play or action is allowed during the game.
The umpire called the tennis ball out, and the crowd let out a loud groan.
collocation: call the ball (in/out) — the umpire's decision statement
Wei asked the umpire whether the baseball had hit the batter's leg first.
noun phrase: ask the umpire whether + clause
After the match, the umpire explained why she had penalized the player for a late hit.
A good umpire stays calm even when coaches argue loudly about a close play at home plate.
- referee
used in most team sports such as football, basketball, and hockey; less common in baseball and tennis
文法句型
the umpire + verb
umpire's + noun
用法筆記
In tennis and baseball the official is called an umpire, while in football/soccer and basketball the term referee is more common. Cricket uses umpire.
常見錯誤
2. A person chosen by two sides who disagree, to listen to both arguments and make
A person chosen by two sides who disagree, to listen to both arguments and make a final decision that settles the matter. This can apply to legal cases, contract disputes, or personal conflicts.
The two companies agreed to choose a neutral umpire to settle their contract dispute.
collocation: choose a neutral umpire to settle [dispute]
A retired judge served as umpire in the long argument between the landlord and the tenants.
Both sides promised to accept whatever decision the umpire made about the property line.
When the city council members could not agree on the budget, an outside umpire was brought in.
- arbitrator
more specific to legal and labor contexts; umpire suggests a single decision-maker
- mediator
a mediator helps parties find agreement; an umpire makes a binding decision
- referee
also used in legal contexts, though umpire is more common in certain arbitration systems
文法句型
umpire + in + noun phrase
act as umpire
用法筆記
This sense is formal and often used in legal, business, or arbitration contexts. Unlike the sports sense, this umpire does not monitor ongoing play but is called in after a dispute has arisen.
umpire — verb
- umpirepresent simple I / you / we / they
- umpires3rd person singular
- umpiring-ing form
- umpiredpast simple
1. To act as the umpire in a game or competition — watching the play, applying the
To act as the umpire in a game or competition — watching the play, applying the rules, and making official decisions about whether actions are allowed.
Diego has umpired baseball games at the community park every summer since college.
transitive: umpire + [game/sport] + [location]
The tennis association asked Amara to umpire the championship match next weekend.
It takes years of experience to learn how to umpire at a professional level.
After retiring from playing, Henry decided to umpire children's softball games on Saturday mornings.
文法句型
umpire + a game/match
umpire (no object)
用法筆記
The direct object is always the sport, game, or match — never a person. You umpire a game, not a player.