varsity

noun

var·​si·​ty ˈvär-sə-tē 

-stē

plural varsities

1

a

: the principal squad representing a university, college, school, or club especially in a sport

b

: regular sense 1c

2

British : university

Examples of varsity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, Harding scored a TD against Bolingbrook in his varsity debut as a freshman. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Brooks also coaches youth and varsity baseball at Nazareth Area High School. — Cbs Philadelphia, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Lotti inherited a program in 2023 that had just finished 0-7 in its first varsity season. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 4 Nov. 2026

According to MaxPreps, Beyer’s varsity football team had a 1-8 overall record and was winless in six league games before the remainder of the season was canceled. — Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

by shortening from university (with regular late Middle English opening of tautosyllabic er to ar)

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing varsity

• junior varsity

Rhymes for varsity

• sparsity
• intervarsity

Kids Definition

varsity

noun

var·​si·​ty ˈvär-sət-ē 

-stē

plural varsities

: the main team representing a college, school, or club in contests

Etymology

an altered form of versity, itself an old, shortened form of university