sportsman

noun

sports·​man ˈspȯrts-mən How to pronounce sportsman (audio)
1
: a person who engages in sports (such as hunting or fishing)
2
: a person who shows sportsmanship
sportsmanlike adjective
sportsmanly adjective

Examples of sportsman in a Sentence

He was a keen sportsman all his life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jake Paul just dropped $39 million on Southlands, a nearly 5,700-acre sportsman's estate in Georgia's Decatur County known for its rich history, enduring prestige, and a 30-acre duck pond. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 June 2025 Furthermore, Lee’s home state of Utah has among the highest per capita numbers of sportsmen. Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 Trump had asked Ramaphosa to bring along the sportsmen for the Oval Office meeting on Wednesday and while many South Africans praised Els and Goosen for voicing their concerns about violence in the country, others spoke out against them. Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025 Adding just one more day per week during the season would only enhance those impacts, especially in rural communities where local businesses like outfitters, restaurants, and gear shops depend on seasonal sportsmen and women to stay afloat. Brandon Gleason, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sportsman

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sportsman was in 1651

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sportsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sportsman. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sportsman

noun
sports·​man ˈspō(ə)rt-smən How to pronounce sportsman (audio)
ˈspȯ(ə)rt-
1
: a person who engages in or is interested in sports and especially outdoor sports
2
sportsmanlike adjective
sportsmanly adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sportsman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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