sportsmanship

[ spawrts-muhn-ship, spohrts- ]

noun

1. the character, practice, or skill of a sportsman.
2. sportsmanlike conduct, as fairness, courtesy, being a cheerful loser, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sportsmanship¹

First recorded in 1735–45; sportsman + -ship

Example Sentences

“The expectation is always good sportsmanship,” Lagos said.

From Los Angeles Times

South Korea's Tom Kim accused his American opponents of poor sportsmanship and swearing at him as tensions flared once again at the Presidents Cup in Montreal.

From BBC

To talk about sportsmanship here would be out of place.

From BBC

That makes the lessons he’s teaching of grace, sportsmanship and humility even more important, said Richard Lapchick, president of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida.

From Los Angeles Times

But team principal Andrea Stella said any actions taken to back Norris in the drivers' title chase would happen only within the team's principles of sportsmanship and fairness.

From BBC

Related Words

• fairness
• honesty
• sincerity
• virtue