sportsman

American  

[spawrts-muhn, spohrts-] / ˈspɔrts mən, ˈspoʊrts- /

noun

• sportsmen
  plural

1. a man who engages in 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, as fairness, courtesy, good temper, etc.

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sportsman British  

/ 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

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Gender

See -man.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sportsmanliness
  noun
• sportsmanship
  noun
• sportsman-like
  adjective
• sportsmanlike
  adjective
• sportsmanly
  adjective
• unsportsmanlike
  adjective
• unsportsmanly
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sportsmen
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sportsman

First recorded in 1700–10; sports + -man

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sportsman sportsmen

But I lead a great life and I use my coping mechanisms from being an international sportsman.

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026

This week, US President Donald Trump warned Taiwan against declaring independence, the death toll from the outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo continued to rise, and Sir David Beckham became the UK's first billionaire sportsman.

From BBC ● May 21, 2026

Former Manchester United and England star David Beckham has become Britain's first billionaire sportsman, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List.

From Barron's ● May 15, 2026

Kovalskiy, who was brought up to not point a rifle at a person when shooting as a sportsman, said there is one aspect of his old work that he doesn’t miss: killing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026

I know you to be a sportsman and a gentleman, and I am looking forward to some exciting chess games with you.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

What stood out to me while reading both articles is that both sportsmen are righteous, grateful people who honor their parents in meaningful ways.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026

Heraskevych insisted on Tuesday that he would wear the helmet, which carries pictures of Ukrainian sportsmen and women killed since Russian forces invaded in 2022, during the men's skeleton heats on Thursday.

From Barron's ● Feb. 11, 2026

Among the sportsmen and women recognised in the New Year honours were Olympic gold medalist Rhys McClenaghan from Newtownards.

From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2025

A total of 19 presenters, actors, singers, comedians and sportsmen will attempt to be good traitors and faithfuls in the show, which will air this autumn.

From BBC ● May 13, 2025

California sportsmen have enjoyed excellent hunting because of the concentrations of waterfowl and pheasants in the rice fields.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson