redshirt

noun

red·​shirt ˈred-ˌshərt 

: a college athlete who is kept out of varsity competition for a year in order to extend eligibility

redshirt verb

Examples of redshirt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And yes, Boise State had backup quarterback Max Cutforth, a redshirt sophomore and former walk-on, making his first collegiate start. —Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 16 Nov. 2025

Bachmeier played more like a redshirt senior with his poise and patience. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Nov. 2025

Redshirt junior safety Tynan Tucker intercepted the first pass thrown by Virginia Union redshirt junior quarterback RJ Rosales on the Panthers’ next series. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 16 Nov. 2025

With redshirt freshman guard Marcus Wilson making two jumpers in the final minute, UCD held off Sac State 77-73 in front of an energized, overflow crowd of 3,786 inside the rocking and rolling University Credit Union Center, in a meeting of head coaches who are former Sacramento Kings guards. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from the red jersey commonly worn by such a player in practice scrimmages against the regulars

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for redshirt

• alert
• assert
• avert
• dessert
• divert
• evert
• exert
• inert
• insert
• invert
• nightshirt
• overt