sportsman

[spawrts-muhn, spohrts-]

noun

plural

sportsmen 

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sportsman¹

First recorded in 1700–10; sports + -man

Example Sentences

Kagame describes himself more as a sports fan than a sportsman.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“A lot of people paint me as a moderate because I’m a sportsman and I have a deer rifle and I go duck hunting and stuff like that.”

Read more on Salon

“For centuries these rugged but elegant athletes have been the pride of Hungarian sportsmen, and their popularity in America increases with each passing year,” according to the American Kennel Club.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The extreme sportsman was known as "Fearless Felix" for his adventurous stunts.

Read more on BBC

Being a sportsman, doing stuff like this and just being myself, letting my emotions out - especially the Leeds crowd.

Read more on BBC