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

The Gauchos have a roster that fluctuates among 24 varsity players, but more and more are showing up to join the team. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

When Hernandez later joined the girls’ varsity volleyball team, the debate moved from competitive fairness to player safety. — Alejandro Avila , Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Granite Bay’s Isaiah Ene earns keep A four-year varsity starter at Granite Bay High in Placer County, Isaiah Ene earned his playing time in the opener after impressing coaches at running back in fall camp. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

In 1929 newspaper accounts of this game and others, Valdosta forfeited three games because of ineligible players, one in particular who was alleged to have been playing his fifth varsity season. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 3 Sep. 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