sportsman

noun

sports·​man ˈspȯrts-mən 

1

: a person who engages in sports (such as hunting or fishing)

2

: a person who shows sportsmanship

sportsmanlike

ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌlīk 

adjective

sportsmanly

ˈspȯrts-mən-lē 

adjective

Examples of sportsman in a Sentence

He was a keen sportsman all his life.

Recent Examples on the Web

During the first days of session, in both the House and Senate chambers a Republican announced that a sportsmen’s caucus would be meeting soon for breakfast, and that Cunningham would join them. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026

Alcaraz was named world sportsman of the year at the gala. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026

The relatively novel approach comes at a time when sportsmen and women are increasingly frustrated with lawmakers voting against their best interests. —Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026

The Russian sportsman, 30, experienced his first loss of a tour-level match without winning a game during the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday, April 8. —Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sportsman

• sportsmen

Kids Definition

sportsman

noun

sports·​man ˈspō(ə)rt-smən 

ˈspȯ(ə)rt-

1

: a person who engages in or is interested in sports and especially outdoor sports

2

: sport entry 2 sense 3

sportsmanlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

sportsmanly

-lē 

adjective