sportsman

noun

sports·​man ˈspȯrts-mən 

1

: a person who engages in sports (such as hunting or fishing)

2

: a person who shows sportsmanship

sportsmanlike

ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌlīk 

adjective

sportsmanly

ˈspȯrts-mən-lē 

adjective

Examples of sportsman in a Sentence

He was a keen sportsman all his life.

Recent Examples on the Web

Further footage then showed players and staff forming a shield around the sportsman as he was taken off the pitch. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

In 1915, Michigan sportsmen did the same, starting with just seven elk. — Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

What stood out to me while reading both articles is that both sportsmen are righteous, grateful people who honor their parents in meaningful ways. — Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026

Acquiring sports teams and land For much of his life a partying roustabout who wooed beautiful women, the lean, mustachioed sportsman married three times. — David Bauder, Fortune, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sportsman

• sportsmen

Kids Definition

sportsman

noun

sports·​man ˈspō(ə)rt-smən 

ˈspȯ(ə)rt-

1

: a person who engages in or is interested in sports and especially outdoor sports

2

: sport entry 2 sense 3

sportsmanlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

sportsmanly

-lē 

adjective