sport

1 of 3

verb

ˈspȯrt 

sported; sporting; sports

intransitive verb

1

a

: to amuse oneself : frolic

lambs sporting in the meadow

b

: to engage in a sport

2

a

: to mock or ridicule something

b

: to speak or act in jest : trifle

3

[sport entry 2] : to deviate or vary abruptly from type (as by bud variation) : mutate

transitive verb

1

: to display or wear usually ostentatiously : boast

sporting expensive new shoes

2

[sport entry 2] : to put forth as a sport or bud variation

sport

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: a source of diversion : recreation

b

: sexual play

c(1)

: physical activity engaged in for pleasure

(2)

: a particular activity (such as an athletic game) so engaged in

2

a

: pleasantry, jest

b

: often mean-spirited jesting : mockery, derision

3

a

: something tossed or driven about in or as if in play

b

: laughingstock

4

a

: sportsman

b

: a person considered with respect to living up to the ideals of sportsmanship

a good sport

a poor sport

c

: a companionable person

5

: an individual exhibiting a sudden deviation from type beyond the normal limits of individual variation usually as a result of mutation especially of somatic tissue

sport

3 of 3

adjective

variants or sports

: of, relating to, or suitable for sports

especially : styled in a manner suitable for casual or informal wear

sport coats

Synonyms of sport

Verb

• play

Noun

• recreation
• relaxation
• fun
• entertainment
• amusement
• enjoyment

Choose the Right Synonym for sport

fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter.

fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

Examples of sport in a Sentence

Verb

She showed up at the party sporting a bright red hat.

from sailing to snorkeling, each day we sported at a different activity offered by the beach resort

Noun

She likes to play sport.

Ice-skating with friends is my favorite sport.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

And then the Cavs took down the Chicago Bulls, who were sporting the best record in the East through the first couple of weeks. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025

Frank’s crew rolls into the crumbling squat that is Colombian HQ, sporting body armor and flamethrowers. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025

Noun

Many children in attendance were dressed in their sports attire and jerseys to honor her. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 16 Nov. 2025

With his success at Ole Miss, Kiffin has consistently been linked to rumors about other openings across the sport—some of which are considered more attractive or potentially lucrative than his current position. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025

Adjective

As is the case on most cross country teams in San Diego County, most of the girls are multi-sport athletes, which may put a crimp in the Bulldogs’ chances for qualifying for the state meet. —Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025

Follow the duo’s multi-sport adventure, then read more of Gantner’s guidance below to nearby adventures. —Outside, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to divert, disport, short for disporten

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sport

• blood sport
• board sport
• e-sport
• for sport
• good sport
• in sport
• make sport of
• poor/bad sport
• spectator sport
• sport coat
• sport fish
• sport jacket
• sport shirt
• sport ute
• sport utility
• sport utility vehicle
• team sport
• the sport of kings
• winter sport

Rhymes for sport

• bort
• corte
• court
• dort
• fort
• mort
• norte
• ort
• port
• porte
• quart
• short

Kids Definition

sport

1 of 3 verb

ˈspō(ə)rt 

ˈspȯ(ə)rt

1

: to amuse oneself : frolic

2

: to speak or act in fun

3

: show off sense 1

sport

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: pastime, recreation

b

: physical activity (as hunting, running, or an athletic game) engaged in for pleasure

2

a

: jest sense 2

b

: fun entry 1 sense 3

make sport of someone

3

: a person who shows good sportsmanship

4

: an individual that shows a sudden major change from the normal type usually as a result of a mutation

a yellow sport among the red apples

sport

3 of 3 adjective

variants or sports

: of, relating to, or suitable for sports

sports equipment

also : made in a style suitable for casual or informal wear

a sport coat

Medical Definition

sport

noun

ˈspō(ə)rt, ˈspȯ(ə)rt 

: an individual exhibiting a sudden deviation from type beyond the normal limits of individual variation usually as a result of mutation especially of somatic tissue