sportsman

[ spawrts-muhn, spohrts- ]

noun

, plural sports·men.

1. a man who engages in sports, sports, especially in some open-air sport, as hunting, fishing, racing, etc.
2. a person who exhibits qualities especially esteemed in those who engage in sports, sports, as fairness, courtesy, good temper, etc.

sportsman

/ ˈspɔːtsmən /

noun

1. a man who takes part in sports, esp of the outdoor type
2. a person who exhibits qualities highly regarded in sport, such as fairness, generosity, observance of the rules, and good humour when losing

Gender Note

See -man.

Derived Forms

• ˈsportsmanˌship, noun
• ˈsportsman-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• sportsman·like sportsman·ly adjective
• sportsman·li·ness noun
• un·sportsman·like adjective
• un·sportsman·ly adjective adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sportsman¹

First recorded in 1700–10; sports + -man

Example Sentences

"That is what it is to play against Rafa in Spain. He is probably the biggest sportsman in Spain to have ever lived."

From BBC

This has lured retired sportsmen and young recruits across Punjab to the dark side.

From BBC

More than anything, I will remember him as a sportsman with few peers.

From Los Angeles Times

A keen sportsman, Mr Ellis had been out with his girlfriend and others to celebrate his 25th birthday when he suffered a single blow to his chest with a huge hunting-style knife.

From BBC

Liverpudlian Powell is an all-around sportsman who shot to fame in 2018 when he appeared on ITV show Ninja Warrior UK, becoming the first person with a visual impairment to take part.

From BBC