The beloved abbreviation for Australian rules football, the high-flying, high-contact sport that functions as something close to a religion in Victoria and South Australia.
The beloved abbreviation for Australian rules football, the high-flying, high-contact sport that functions as something close to a religion in Victoria and South Australia. When Australians say AFL they typically mean both the sport itself and the national league that runs it. Footy season conversations, office tipping competitions, and weekend plans all revolve around the AFL in a way that outsiders find both baffling and enviable.
AFL means: The beloved abbreviation for Australian rules football, the high-flying, high-contact sport that functions as something close to a religion in Victoria and South Australia. When Australians say AFL. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is sporting vocabulary and harmless in itself.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Australian casual shorthand for touch football — the non-contact version of rugby league where instead of tackling players you touch them to end the play. Touch footy is huge in Australian recreational sports culture, played in parks, school yards, and corporate sports leagues across the country. It's faster and more accessible than full rugby since anyone can play without worrying about getting smashed. A Friday afternoon touch footy session with coworkers is as Australian as a barbie on the weekend.
In British English, NFL (National Football League) is often used as a shorthand term for American football itself, not just the league. While Americans separate the sport from its governing organization, many UK fans just say "NFL" to mean the game. The sport's popularity in Britain has grown significantly since the NFL began hosting regular-season games in London, and the abbreviation is now common in UK sports media.
(Australia, informal) touch football.
He knocked back a Saturday shift because the AFL grand final was on and there was no way he was missing it.
AFL means: The beloved abbreviation for Australian rules football, the high-flying, high-contact sport that functions as something close to a religion in Victoria and South Australia. When Australians say AFL. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is sporting vocabulary and harmless in itself.
AFL means: The beloved abbreviation for Australian rules football, the high-flying, high-contact sport that functions as something close to a religion in Victoria and South Australia. When. Register: informal, Australian English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself.
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(informal) The game of Australian rules football.
AFL means: The game of Australian rules football.. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is sporting vocabulary and harmless in itself. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
AFL means: The game of Australian rules football.. Register: informal, Australian English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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(uncountable, Australia) Any code of football that involves physical tackling (i.e. not soccer or touch football); generally refers to Australian rules football, rugby league, rugby union or American football.