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

And when the gun went off for the women's varsity race, Bierer walked off the line toward her mother, Sheona, who embraced her tearful daughter. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Deerfield sophomore quarterback Cooper Crane has played beyond his years in his varsity debut, offering stability operating the triple-option and providing an opportunistic passing option when chances open downfield. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Denton Ryan four-star quarterback Colton Nussmeier was denied varsity eligibility in a 4-1 vote after transferring from Flower Mound Marcus. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2026

The offering includes varsity jackets, cardigans, knitwear, rugby shirts, hoodies, T-shirts, overshirts and hats. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 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