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American football

A team sport similar to rugby football, played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.

əˈmɛɹəkən ˈfʊtˌbɔlCurrent217 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
1 definition
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Seen in the wild
5 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

A team sport similar to rugby football, played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.

For parents

American football means: A team sport similar to rugby football, played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.. 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.

For ESL learners

American football means: A team sport similar to rugby football, played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.. Register: neutral, standard English. 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.

Heard in the wild
  • “It is possible to find the peak players in Basketball and Baseball and have a complete team. American Football relies on players being solid and not exceptional except for those few players. I would love to see sports be more dynamic and interesting.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “There are two Football Football - FIFA (Real Football) American Football - NFL (Gridiron Rugby)”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “American Football's fourth LP is the result of an emo band growing into more complex adults @pyramidmaster.bsky.social reviews www.treblezine.com/american-foo...”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Listening to the new American Football album with the bairn”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Do you actually call football “American football” every time? This sounds really stupid but, when you are referring to the NFL or college football, do you say “college American football”? It sounds weird. Edit: welp, I got my answer. Good to know! Thanks for your responses!!!!!”

    — r/AskUK· Apr 2026
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For specific readers

American football means: A team sport similar to rugby football, played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end.. 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.

Why is this section here?

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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UK

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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

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