playmaker

noun

play·​mak·​er ˈplā-ˌmā-kər 

: a player who leads the offense for a team (as in basketball or hockey)

playmaking

ˈplā-ˌmā-kiŋ 

noun or adjective

Examples of playmaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rice’s ballhandling ability should help free up Alijah Arenas and give freshman Christian Collins room to grow as a playmaker. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Senior defensive back Darrell Mattison, an Ole Miss recruit, is a major playmaker whenever someone dares to throw the ball in his direction. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

The league’s best offenses find ways to get the ball to their best playmakers. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026

In 2019, former Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil sparked a firestorm of controversy by criticising China for its treatment of the country’s Uighur Muslim population. — Tom Williams, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for playmaker

• blackacre
• caretaker
• clockmaker
• dressmaker
• filmmaker
• homemaker
• icebreaker
• lawmaker
• matchmaker
• pacemaker
• partaker
• peacemaker