varsity

noun

var·​si·​ty ˈvär-sə-tē 

-stē

plural varsities

1

a

: the principal squad representing a university, college, school, or club especially in a sport

b

: regular sense 1c

2

British : university

Examples of varsity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the time, the Jae Tips x Nike link-up was revealed via a Nike Destroyer varsity jacket with the branding of Savior Worldwide, the streetwear brand founded by Jae Tips in 2019. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026

But the district said yesterday afternoon that varsity games scheduled for today through Saturday this week will not be affected and that there will be no further cancellations. — Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

This is not the first lawsuit filed since UC Davis axed the varsity equestrian team in January. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Superintendent Ricky Stephens said only 15 varsity players were healthy enough to take the field. — Tom Johanningmeier. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

by shortening from university (with regular late Middle English opening of tautosyllabic er to ar)

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing varsity

• junior varsity

Rhymes for varsity

• sparsity
• intervarsity

Kids Definition

varsity

noun

var·​si·​ty ˈvär-sət-ē 

-stē

plural varsities

: the main team representing a college, school, or club in contests

Etymology

an altered form of versity, itself an old, shortened form of university