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

In Catholic Central League play, Courtney Lawrence recorded her first varsity goal while Jordi Higgins and Lily Eccles both added a pair of goals as Bishop Feehan defeated Bishop Fenwick, 6-0. —Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025

True to their school Ten of the 16 coaches on Granite Hills’ freshman, JV and varsity staffs are graduates, including Cobbs. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025

The presence of a power dynamic, like that between a freshman and senior members of the varsity team, is a key indicator of hazing. —Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2025

The collection features premium head-turners like varsity jackets, hoodies, and more, perfect for paying homage to a NBA icon. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

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