sporting

American  

[spawr-ting, spohr-] / ˈspɔr tɪŋ, ˈspoʊr- /

adjective

1. engaging in, disposed to, or interested in open-air or athletic sports.

   a rugged, sporting man.

2. concerned with or suitable for such sports.

   sporting equipment.

3. sportsmanlike.

4. interested in or connected with sports or pursuits involving betting or gambling.

   the sporting life of Las Vegas.

5. involving or inducing the taking of risk, as in a sport.

---

sporting British  

/ ˈspɔːtɪŋ /

adjective

1. (prenominal) of, relating to, or used or engaged in a sport or sports

   several sporting interests

2. relating or conforming to sportsmanship; fair

3. of, relating to, or characterized by an interest in gambling

4. willing to take a risk

---

Other Word Forms

• nonsporting
  adjective
• nonsportingly
  adverb
• sportingly
  adverb
• unsporting
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sporting

First recorded in 1590–1600; sport + -ing ²

Example Sentences

It's like the whole of the club and fanbase finally realised the sporting power of pure support.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

"That certainly factored into our thinking around the building of a national centre, as well as the designing of what we've called the 'US Way', which is our strategy for sporting success," he said.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

“That was great defense,” Moore said in response, sporting a smile.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

These are primarily durable goods, or the clothing, furniture and sporting equipment that fills our closets and garages.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

And it was for moral reasons and sporting interest that she left her school and her home to compete with a man whose fame as a great, unprincipled eater had spread throughout the country.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez