Rugger vs. Rugby — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 12, 2024
Rugger is an informal term for rugby, primarily used in Britain to refer to the sport or its players, while rugby refers to the team sport itself, played with an oval ball.
Difference Between Rugger and Rugby
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Key Differences
Rugger is colloquial British slang that emerged from the shortening of "Rugby football," highlighting a casual or affectionate approach to the sport. On the other hand, rugby denotes the full name of the sport, respected and used officially worldwide.
Rugger is often used in social contexts or in speech to convey a more relaxed attitude towards the game, emphasizing the community and tradition aspects. Rugby, in contrast, is utilized in formal discussions, media, and documentation, emphasizing the sport's official rules, international competitions, and governance.
While rugger may evoke a sense of tradition and nostalgia, especially among those familiar with British English and old rugby cultures, rugby is recognized universally, transcending regional slang to represent the sport in international arenas and among diverse cultures.
Rugger is rarely used outside the UK and some Commonwealth nations, indicating its specific cultural attachment, whereas rugby is understood and recognized globally, serving as the universal term for the sport across different languages and regions.
The term rugger might sometimes be associated with informal, amateur, or school-level play, suggesting a more grassroots level of participation. Rugby, however, encompasses all levels of play, from local club matches to professional leagues and international tournaments, highlighting the sport's broad appeal and professional structure.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
Informal, colloquial
Formal, official
Usage
Primarily in Britain and some Commonwealth nations
Globally recognized
Context
Social, casual
Official, professional, and international
Association
Tradition, nostalgia, community
Professionalism, international competition
Level of Play
Often implies amateur or school-level
Encompasses all levels, including professional
Compare with Definitions
Rugger
Informal British term for rugby.
He's been playing rugger since he was in school.
Rugby
Refers to both rugby union and rugby league variations.
He plays rugby union, but his brother prefers rugby league.
Rugger
Reflects a traditional aspect of rugby culture.
Rugger is more than a sport; it's a tradition here.
Rugby
Associated with professional and international competitions.
The Rugby World Cup is one of the sport's most anticipated events.
Rugger
Slang for a rugby player.
My uncle was a famous rugger in his youth.
Rugby
Highlights the sport's global appeal.
Rugby brings together players and fans from diverse backgrounds.
Rugger
Indicates a community or social event related to rugby.
The annual rugger match is a big event in our town.
Rugby
A team sport played with an oval ball.
Rugby is popular in many countries around the world.
Rugger
Used to denote a casual approach to rugby.
They enjoy a game of rugger at the local park.
Rugby
Emphasizes the sport's rules and governance.
Rugby has a complex set of rules that players must follow.
Rugger
(US) rugby player
Rugby
A game played by two teams of 15 players each on a rectangular field 110 yards long with goal lines and goal posts at either end, the object being to run with an oval ball across the opponent's goal line or kick it through the upper portion of the goal posts, with forward passing and time-outs not permitted.
Rugger
Rugby.
Rugby
A form of football in which players can hold or kick an ovoid ball; rugby football. The ball cannot be handled forwards and points are scored by touching the ball to the ground in the area past the opponent's territory or by kicking the ball between goalposts and over a crossbar.
The scrum is a distinctive element of rugby.
The two rugbies split following a debate about amateurism.
Rugger
(uncountable) rugby
Rugby
(specifically) The form of the game known as rugby union (see the usage note).
Rugger
A form of football played with an oval ball
Rugby
(countable) rugby shirt
Rugby
(Philippines) Rubber cement, contact cement.
Rugby
(intransitive) To play rugby.
Rugby
A form of football played with an oval ball
Common Curiosities
Is rugby played internationally?
Yes, rugby is played and recognized globally.
What is rugger?
Rugger is an informal, colloquial term for rugby, mainly used in British English.
What is rugby?
Rugby is a team sport played with an oval ball, known worldwide.
Are rugger and rugby the same sport?
Yes, they refer to the same sport, but "rugger" is a slang term for rugby.
Can rugger refer to a rugby player?
Yes, in informal contexts, rugger can also refer to a rugby player.
What are the two main types of rugby?
Rugby union and rugby league.
Is rugby associated with professional leagues?
Yes, there are professional leagues for rugby around the world.
Is rugger used outside of English-speaking countries?
It's primarily used in English-speaking countries, especially the UK.
Can women play rugby?
Yes, rugby is played by both men and women at various levels.
Do rugger and rugby imply different levels of play?
Rugger often implies more casual or amateur levels, while rugby encompasses all levels.
Where is rugger commonly used?
In Britain and some Commonwealth nations.
Is the Rugby World Cup associated with rugger or rugby?
It's associated with rugby, as it's an official international competition.
Is rugby played in the Olympics?
Yes, rugby sevens, a variant of rugby, is included in the Olympic Games.
What is the difference between rugby union and rugby league?
They are two forms of rugby with different rules, team sizes, and gameplay styles.
Does rugby have a governing body?
Yes, World Rugby is the sport's international governing body.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
