sportsman

noun

sports·​man ˈspȯrts-mən How to pronounce sportsman (audio)
Synonyms of sportsmannext
1
: a person who engages in sports (such as hunting or fishing)
2
: a person who shows sportsmanship
sportsmanlike adjective
sportsmanly adjective

Examples of sportsman in a Sentence

He was a keen sportsman all his life.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By voting to pave the way for the mine, Zinke is betraying sportsmen and public-land users, says Land Tawney, co-chair of American Hunters and Anglers. Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 21 Jan. 2026 Shane and Ilya’s antagonism is predicated on their direct competition as sportsmen. Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026 Many sportsmen eat groundhog meat for its tender and mild flavor. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026 Knowing when and how to broach matters of politics is a constant dilemma for sportsmen and women. Phil Hay, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sportsman

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sportsman was in 1651

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sportsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sportsman. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

sportsman

noun
sports·​man ˈspō(ə)rt-smən How to pronounce sportsman (audio)
ˈspȯ(ə)rt-
1
: a person who engages in or is interested in sports and especially outdoor sports
2
sportsmanlike adjective
sportsmanly adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on sportsman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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