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

Brandi Levy was 14 in 2017 when she used Snapchat to express her frustration after failing to make the Mahanoy Area High School varsity cheerleading squad.

From Ars Technica

You might also ask how she finesses this without badmouthing the kids' father, since that's the varsity-parenting skill.

From Washington Post

A year later, realizing he wasn’t going to make the varsity, he asked Smith whether he could observe practices.

From Washington Post

It’s repurposed here to argue that voters should send “the varsity” and not “the JV team” if they want to stop China’s exploitation of America.

From Washington Post

Sports practices and events have also been suspended, with exceptions being made for varsity women’s and men’s basketball.

From Washington Post

Army B-squad players who fail to make it onto the varsity team after a year or two usually quit football.

From The Daily Beast

Lewis did not get on the field for a single varsity game during his four years at West Point.

From The Daily Beast

When he next tried out for the varsity, he weighed 174 pounds and was faster than he had been on his arrival at West Point.

From The Daily Beast

Obama already has had to explain away comments linking the Islamic State to a junior varsity team.

From The Daily Beast

Later that week, a player on the girls varsity walked up to me and asked if I was a reporter.

From The Daily Beast

"Please, sir, I'm not out for the 'Varsity," said Stover confusedly.

From Project Gutenberg

"Green House, sir," said Stover, awed by the sight of a 'varsity jersey.

From Project Gutenberg

I am most particular in the choice of a curate, and should, of course, prefer a public school and 'Varsity man.

From Project Gutenberg

A great deal of speculation had been aroused by Bob Collingwood's determination to take Merriwell upon the 'varsity crew.

From Project Gutenberg

Before he set out again for the west I gave him a supper, asking the men who had been with us in the old 'Varsity days.

From Project Gutenberg