sporting

American  

[spawr-ting, spohr-] / ˈspɔr tɪŋ, ˈspoʊr- /

adjective

1. engaging in, disposed to, or interested in open-air or athletic sports: sports.

   a rugged, sporting man.

2. concerned with or suitable for such sports: sports.

   sporting equipment.

3. sportsmanlike.

4. interested in or connected with sports sports or pursuits involving betting or gambling.

   the sporting life of Las Vegas.

5. involving or inducing the taking of risk, as in a sport.

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sporting British  

/ ˈspɔːtɪŋ /

adjective

1. (prenominal) of, relating to, or used or engaged in a sport or sports

   several sporting interests

2. relating or conforming to sportsmanship; fair

3. of, relating to, or characterized by an interest in gambling

4. willing to take a risk

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Other Word Forms

• nonsporting adjective
• nonsportingly adverb
• sportingly adverb
• unsporting adjective

Etymology

Origin of sporting

First recorded in 1590–1600; sport + -ing ²

Example Sentences

In addition to eyeing more NFL games, Netflix has added boxing matchups and other sporting exhibitions, as well as some WWE content, in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Spending on sporting events grew by $7 billion in the same period, Fishman wrote.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

For Los Angeles law enforcement, the Baker to Vegas footrace is the premier sporting event of the year.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

The sporting event is expected to draw millions of fans from June 11 to July 19.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Hermione emerged, coughing, out of the smoke, clutching the telescope and sporting a brilliantly purple black eye.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling