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.

---

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

---

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

Inflected Forms

Adjectives

• sportier
  comparative
• sportiest
  superlative

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

Sporty M3gan looked like she was ready for tennis.

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2023

Famously, the band's nicknames - Scary, Sporty, Baby, Posh and Ginger - were bestowed by Top of the Pops magazine.

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2021

Sporty but not treacherous, the rapids meander between islands.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2019

Sporty wore the usual androgynous track suit but the others were a medley of sequins, rubber and hair extensions.

From The Guardian • May 24, 2019

"They're having a riot on the railroad," answered Sporty.

From The Short Line War by Merwin-Webster

Related Words

• snazzy