varsity

American  

[vahr-si-tee] / ˈvɑr sɪ ti /

noun

plural

varsities

1. any first-string team, especially in sports, that represents a school, college, university, or the like.

   He is on the varsity in tennis and in debating.

2. Chiefly British Informal. university.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a university or school team, activity, or competition.

   a varsity debater.

varsity British  

/ ˈvɑːsɪtɪ /

noun

1. informal university, formerly used esp at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge

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Other Word Forms

• intervarsity adjective

Etymology

Origin of varsity

1840–50; compare versity university, in 17th century; pronunciation probably preserves historical outcome of Middle English ĕr, as in varmint

Compare meaning

How does varsity compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• varsity vs. junior varsity

Example Sentences

Eventually, Little would play in junior varsity football games as a punter, before jumping up to varsity level.

From BBC

But the Griffins, loaded with backups from last season and members of a good junior varsity team, are 8-6 going into an early Sunset League showdown with 16-1 Corona del Mar on Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s been a four-year varsity player and was a freshman when the team reached the Southern Section Division 2A playoff semifinals.

From Los Angeles Times

Talia Levine, a senior and varsity sailor studying international relations, was sheltering in place in the science library across from the engineering building.

From The Wall Street Journal

Paul’s son, Chris Paul II, is a sophomore guard for the Campbell Hall varsity basketball team, which plays Newbury Park on Friday.

From Los Angeles Times