sporty

American  

[spawr-tee, spohr-] / ˈspɔr ti, ˈspoʊr- /

adjective

Informal.

sportier, sportiest

1. flashy; showy.

2. smart in dress, behavior, etc.

3. like or befitting a sportsman.

4. dissipated; fast.

   a sporty crowd.

5. designed for or suitable for sport.

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sporty British  

/ ˈspɔːtɪ /

adjective

1. (of a person) fond of sport or outdoor activities

2. (of clothes) having the appearance of sportswear

3. (of a car) having the performance or appearance of a sports car

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noun

1. informal a young person who typically wears sportswear, is competitive about sport , and takes an interest in his or her fitness

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sportiness
  noun
• sportily
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of sporty

First recorded in 1885–90; sport + -y ¹

Explanation

Look down. Are you wearing sneakers? Ready to kick a ball, shoot some hoops, or go watch a game? If so, you’re sporty! Sporty things are related to athletics. You are sporty if you love sports, dress like you love sports, or behave like a good sport by saying “good game” even when you lose. Sporty can also describe something fast and flashy, like a sporty red convertible. The oldest recorded meaning of sporty is "sportsmanlike," from the late nineteenth century.

Example Sentences

Xiaomi, a maker of sporty sedans and SUVs, highlighted its hiring of European designers who worked at automakers such as Porsche and Lamborghini.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

I was outdoorsy and sporty, largely because girls back then were told by mothers that they were entitled to the same things as boys.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

To advertise her business, she affixed a decal and phone number to her white 1984 Pontiac Fiero, a sporty two-seater with retractable headlights.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Meg, a popular and sporty teenager, was enjoying the social side of student life.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

I see him walk in, and it’s almost like he’s dressed for a date, too—even if he doesn’t look sporty, he’s certainly trying to be his best self.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan

Related Words

• snazzy