varsity

[ vahr-si-tee ]

noun

, plural var·si·ties.

1. any first-string team, especially in sports, that represents a school, college, university, or the like:

   He is on the varsity in tennis and in debating.

2. Chiefly British Informal. university.

adjective

1. of or relating to a university or school team, activity, or competition:

   a varsity debater.

varsity

/ ˈvɑːsɪtɪ /

noun

1. informal.
   university, formerly used esp at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge

Other Words From

• inter·varsi·ty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of varsity¹

1840–50; compare versity university, in 17th century; pronunciation probably preserves historical outcome of Middle English ĕr, as in varmint

Example Sentences

The 15-year-old Santa Margarita Catholic High School student wasn’t sure what to expect when he heard loud cheering and banging sounds coming from the locker room that houses the varsity football team.

From Los Angeles Times

There will be a JV game at 3:30 p.m., followed by girls flag football at 6 p.m. and varsity at 7:30 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times

Speaking to BBC News NI, they said he had previously swum competitively, including representing his university in varsity competitions.

From BBC

Within the varsity and junior varsity football programs are 10 sets of brothers.

From Los Angeles Times

Now he’s on the varsity as a sophomore and made a 49-yard field goal on Friday.

From Los Angeles Times