sportsman

American  

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

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.

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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

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

Etymology

Origin of sportsman

First recorded in 1700–10; sports + -man

Example Sentences

“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.”

From Salon • Oct. 6, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 27, 2025

The County Tyrone native, a keen golfer himself, watched his fellow sportsman from Northern Ireland claim the green jacket on television and was struck by McIlroy's determination in completing the career Grand Slam.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2025

More than anything, I will remember him as a sportsman with few peers.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2024

I was a more active sportsman than I had been at Healdtown.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela