Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

onside

adjective
/ˈɒn.saɪd/
Definition
In the context of sports, particularly soccer, ‘onside’ refers to the position of a player who is in line with or nearer to the goal line than the second-to-last opponent when the ball is played to them, allowing them to play the ball legally.
Examples
  • The forward was clearly onsides when the pass was made, allowing him to score.
  • The referee raised the flag to indicate that the player was not onsides.
  • During the match, the team successfully played the ball to an onsides player, leading to a great opportunity to score.
Meaning
Being in a position that complies with the rules of the game, preventing an offside violation.
Synonyms
  • legal
  • valid
  • permissible