varsity
Americannoun
-
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.
-
Chiefly British Informal. university.
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
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:
Explanation
The word varsity identifies the starting team in a sport at a college or university. You have to be good to make varsity. At many schools, sports are a big deal. Thousands of people flock to college football and basketball games, plus other sports. The members of the starting team are varsity players. Varsity players are the best players: that’s why they start, and they usually finish the game too. It can take a while for a player to make varsity status.
Vocabulary lists containing varsity
Language Gone Wrong: Words That Started Out as Errors
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"High School Football"
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The Crossover
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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.
I believed I was forging a path for her, but she saw my varsity moves as inconsiderate and selfish.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Return of the Champ: Toby Ojo, West Torrance Sophomore makes his season debut at the Torrance City Champs Meet and captures the varsity long jump crown!
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
Until 1968 – and 1972 for football and basketball – freshmen weren’t even allowed to play at the varsity level.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
It looked like the varsity against the JV team.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
“He’s, like, their golden boy. He’s on the varsity basketball team.”
From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi
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.
