junior varsity

noun

Sports.

1. a university, college, or school team that consists of players who lack the qualifications or skill necessary for the varsity and compete against other teams of similar composition or ability.

Word History and Origins

Origin of junior varsity¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The junior varsity teams will play at 2:30 p.m., followed by a girls flag football game at 5 p.m. and the varsity 11-man game at 7:30 p.m.

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So St. Augustine did the only thing it could do to get Stewart game experience: It played him on junior varsity.

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The Dodgers shouldn’t be here battling baseball’s junior varsity, and they know it, and they’re intent on pounding and pitching their way out of this embarrassing situation as quickly as possible.

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The roster has increased to more than 70, with the return of a junior varsity team, and the Robinsons are committed to “restoring pride” in the program.

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He just turned 17 in July and was perfectly fine with playing junior varsity football as a freshman.

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