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sport

n. · v.
US //ˈspɔɹt// UK //spˈɔːt// sport
  1. 1 physical activity (n.)
    A1 Beginner Sport

    a game or activity that needs physical effort and skill, usually played against others.

    a competitive physical activity or game conducted according to a specific set of rules.

    Example

    Football is the most popular sport in many countries around the world.

    Example

    The school offers a wide range of team sports, including rugby and field hockey, to encourage physical fitness among students.
  2. 2 a fair person (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    someone who is fair and does not get angry when they lose.

    a person who reacts to defeat or teasing with good-natured resilience; often used in the phrase 'a good sport'.

    Example

    Thanks for being such a good sport about the joke we played on you.

    Example

    Even after the controversial refereeing decision cost him the match, he remained a good sport and shook his opponent's hand.
    • good natured person
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  1. 3 friend or mate (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal British English

    a friendly way to address a man or a boy.

    an informal term of address for a male peer or a child, functioning as a marker of camaraderie.

    Example

    How are you doing, sport? I haven't seen you in ages.

    Example

    The old man patted the boy on the shoulder and said, 'Don't worry about it, sport; you'll do better next time.'
  2. 4 biological mutation (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a plant or animal that is different from others of its kind because of a natural change.

    an organism or part of an organism that shows a marked variation from the normal type as a result of mutation.

    Example

    The gardener noticed a white flower on the red rose bush and realised it was a sport.

    Example

    In botany, a sport can often be propagated to create a new cultivar with unique aesthetic characteristics.
  3. 5 to wear or display (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to wear something or have a feature that people will notice.

    to wear or display something ostentatiously or as a notable feature.

    Example

    He decided to sport a new moustache for the summer holidays.

    Example

    The vintage car was sporting a fresh coat of paint and original chrome bumpers for the parade.
  4. 6 to play (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to play or enjoy yourself in a happy way.

    to play or frolic in a lighthearted manner; often used of animals or children.

    Example

    The lambs were sporting in the green fields under the afternoon sun.

    Example

    The poet described the dolphins sporting in the wake of the ship as it crossed the calm Mediterranean.
Origin

From Middle English sporten (“to divert, disport”, verb) and sport, spoort, sporte (noun), apheretic shortenings of disporten (verb) and disport, disporte (noun), from Old French desporter (“to divert, amuse, please, play; to seek amusement”), etymologically meaning "to carry away (the mind from serious matters)," from des- + porter, from Latin dis- + Latin portāre, ultimately from Latin deportāre, from de- + portāre, from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to lead, pass over”)). Replaced native English laik, lake (“sport, fun, amusement”), and Middle English spile, spyl (“fun, sport, play”). More at disport. Doublet of disport and deport.

Word family
Idioms2 entries

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