Definition

A person who officiates in sports, helping to monitor the game from the sidelines or court, and making calls about the ball's position or violations.

Example

The linesman raised his flag to signal that the ball had gone out of bounds.

Conversation

Did you see the game last night?

Yeah, it was intense! The linesman made some questionable calls, though.

I know, right? That one goal should have counted.

Exactly! It really changed the outcome of the match.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Linesman → It is formed from "line" (from Old French *ligne*, meaning a straight mark or boundary) and "-man" (meaning a person who). A linesman is a person associated with marking or maintaining lines, often in sports or technical contexts.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'line' as a straight mark or boundary, and remember that a 'linesman' is a person who works with or oversees those lines.

Visually Confused Words