Word
varsity
Phoneticsvar·si·ty
US/ˈvɑɹsɪti/
UK/vˈɑːsɪti/
Definitions
01main school sports team
n. the top sports team at a school or university that plays against other schools.
n. the primary athletic team representing a high school, college, or university in competitive sports.
“She was thrilled to make the varsity basketball team in her first year of high school.”
“After three seasons on the junior varsity squad, he finally earned a starting position on the varsity football team.”
American English
Usage
Often used as an attributive noun before another noun, such as 'varsity athlete' or 'varsity jacket'.
Teaching tip
In the US, 'varsity' is the elite level; 'junior varsity' (or JV) is the secondary level for younger or less experienced players.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02university
n. a shortened or old-fashioned word for university.
n. a shortened form of 'university', now largely restricted to specific British contexts or older academic references.
“The two old friends met while they were both at varsity in the 1970s.”
“The term remains in use within certain prestigious British sporting traditions, most notably the annual Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge.”
British English · Archaic
Usage
Usually functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the institution itself.
Teaching tip
While common in South African English and older British English, modern learners should use 'university' in most global contexts.
Synonyms
Etymology
First attested in the mid 17th century. Clipping of univarsity, reflecting an archaic pronunciation of university.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.