Word
In Japanese
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR. All sources.
Definition
n. a man who plays a lot of sport, especially one who is very good at it. It also describes someone who plays fairly and follows the rules.
n. a male participant in a sport, particularly one who demonstrates high skill or professional status. Often implies an adherence to the principles of fair play and ethical conduct.
Examples
“He is a talented sportsman who plays both tennis and golf.”
“The local newspaper named him the sportsman of the year for his record-breaking season and charitable work.”
“While the media focused on his physical prowess, his peers respected him more as a sportsman who never disputed a referee's decision, even when it cost him the match.”
Examples
simple
“He is a talented sportsman who plays both tennis and golf.”
contextual
“The local newspaper named him the sportsman of the year for his record-breaking season and charitable work.”
complex
“While the media focused on his physical prowess, his peers respected him more as a sportsman who never disputed a referee's decision, even when it cost him the match.”
Usage
The feminine equivalent is 'sportswoman'; 'athlete' or 'sports player' are common gender-neutral alternatives.
Etymology
From sports + -man.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 2
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/sportsman
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR