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

Kruse is having a solid first varsity season. —Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

For three-time champion Miami, Tuesday was the latest disappointment, a fourth straight season relegated to the play-in tournament where the mediocre teams are like JV squads playing to make the varsity. —Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026

Mattei lauded Miller, who coaches the Angels’ C-team and works with the varsity guards, as a unicorn at the intersection of sports and music. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026

The Vanderbilt commit has been a three-year varsity contributor since his freshman year. —Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 13 Apr. 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