sport

1 of 3

noun

ˈspȯrt 

1

a(1)

: physical activity engaged in for pleasure

(2)

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

b

: a source of diversion : recreation

c

: sexual play

2

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

3

a

: pleasantry, jest

b

: often mean-spirited jesting : mockery, derision

4

a

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

b

: laughingstock

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

see also:

make sport of

sport

2 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

sport

3 of 3

verb

sported; sporting; sports

transitive verb

1

: to display or wear usually ostentatiously : boast

sporting expensive new shoes

2

[sport entry 1] : to put forth as a sport or bud variation

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 1] : to deviate or vary abruptly from type (as by bud variation) : mutate

Synonyms of sport

Noun

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

Verb

• play

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

Noun

She likes to play sport.

Ice-skating with friends is my favorite sport.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

An action sports area is also planned with trampolines, climbing walls and indoor skate facilities. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

The German sports brand held an Innovation Day on Thursday, and a local-for-local market approach, where 90 percent of the sourcing is done locally, appears to be the key to unlocking growth potential. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The Macon, Mississippi, native grew up 40 minutes from Starkville, was a multi-sport athlete in high school and has attended the Manning Passing Academy as a high schooler and counselor. — Pj Green september 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

The promise of Kroenke, a multi-sport magnate who has won championships in the NBA, NHL and NFL, provided some of the optimism expressed this week. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

As for accessories, Bassett brought the sparkle, sporting a pair of hoop earrings and a sinuous statement necklace with a design that mimicked the overall bent of her Falguni Shane Peacock dress. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

The products, which sport fake USDA inspection labels, were distributed to grocery stores and restaurants across the United States. — Julia Hawkins, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to divert, disport, short for disporten

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Verb

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

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