sportive

adjective

sport·​ive ˈspȯr-tiv How to pronounce sportive (audio)
1
2
: of or relating to sports and especially field sports
sportively adverb
sportiveness noun

Example Sentences

a sportive pastor who began every sermon with a joke
Recent Examples on the Web Revel, too, in more sportive jaunts, such as volcano hiking, horseback-riding, zip-lining, rappelling down waterfalls, fishing and white-water river rafting. Laura Manske, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023 The rarest is the Sahafary sportive lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis), found in a tiny area in northern Madagascar. Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2020 The remaining lineage split into the sportive lemurs (Lepilemuridae), and the dwarf and mouse lemurs (Cheirogaleidae; right). Discover Magazine, 17 Mar. 2011 His actions impact the reputation of his colleagues, sportive results, and eventually can be damaging to our game. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 26 Sep. 2022 The sportive rhythm of the show doesn’t preclude tragedy. Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2022 These expedition-style vessels attract nature-minded, science-curious and sportive travelers, who revel in the great outdoors. Laura Manske, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2021 In Montagne des Français, the exclusive habitat of the northern sportive lemur—a seven-inch tall, grayish-brown animal known for its shrill screams—patrols have identified areas newly denuded for charcoal production. Dina Fine Maron, Animals, 14 Dec. 2020 About 80 percent of these sportive lemurs have been wiped out during the past two decades because of habitat loss and hunting, and fewer than a hundred are thought to survive today. Dina Fine Maron, Animals, 14 Dec. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sportive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sportive was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near sportive

Cite this Entry

“Sportive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sportive. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

sportive

adjective
sport·​ive ˈspōrt-iv How to pronounce sportive (audio)
ˈspȯrt-
sportively adverb
sportiveness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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