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

Who can claim this jumble of junior-varsity field hockey teams, center-justified poetry, and polyester tux jackets as their intellectual property? —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

On the apparel side, the Ducks, Dead and Swoosh combine their iconography on varsity jackets, bomber jackets, hoodies, sweatpants, T-shirts and headwear. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025

In just two varsity seasons, Bush scored more touchdowns than any player before him in the old Nashville Interscholastic League. —Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025

Barnett, a 15-year-old sophomore who plays on South Broward High’s varsity, couldn’t wait to put on her new sneakers on Saturday. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 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