sportsmanship
Americannoun
-
the character, practice, or skill of a sportsman.
-
sportsmanlike conduct, as fairness, courtesy, being a cheerful loser, etc.
Etymology
Origin of sportsmanship
Explanation
Sportsmanship is a type of fairness expected of athletes. If you never cheat or act rude while playing a game, you are modeling good sportsmanship. Sportsmanship has to do with how people play games, not if they win or lose games. You could win and have terrible sportsmanship if you cheated, yelled at the referees, or refused to shake hands after the game. Sportsmanship has to do with fairness and manners; both winners and losers can be good or bad sportsmen. Women show sportsmanship too, of course. If you have good sportsmanship, you respect the game, your teammates, the other team, and the fans too.
Vocabulary lists containing sportsmanship
Vocabulary of the Summer Olympics
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Father's Day Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Physical Education - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It may be a hokey child’s trophy from a bygone era, like a scout’s badge or sportsmanship ribbon.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026
“This is about the integrity of sport and code of ethics that upholds sportsmanship, fair play, integrity, respect and community,” Uhlaender said in a post on X.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026
He also won his third Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, which goes to the player exhibiting the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct in the NHL.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2025
The music swells further as he reflects on how crushed he was to lose his job over what his lawyers called a “silent or quiet prayer of thanksgiving for player safety, sportsmanship, and spirited competition.”
From Slate • Oct. 1, 2025
The sportsmanship award is next, and that’s the one Avery has a shot at since they always give it to the best athletes, but it goes to Eliana and this baseball star, Chase.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
