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

Still, until the opening drive, Fleming had never thrown a pass on the varsity level. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

However, MaxPreps writer Kevin Askeland has since clarified that Red Lake (Minnesota) has lost 150 in a row since 1999, though that team has gone years without fielding a team, playing 9-man football or other variations of a full varsity schedule. — Caitlyn Stroh-Page, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Newbury Park returns Darrien Johnson along with Tyler Stromsoe, while 6-foot-4 freshman Daniel Tromello makes his varsity debut. — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026

By season’s end, he was promoted to varsity for the playoffs. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 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