sportsman

noun

sports·​man ˈspȯrts-mən 

1

: a person who engages in sports (such as hunting or fishing)

2

: a person who shows sportsmanship

sportsmanlike

ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌlīk 

adjective

sportsmanly

ˈspȯrts-mən-lē 

adjective

Examples of sportsman in a Sentence

He was a keen sportsman all his life.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to state estimates, there are nearly 300 pheasant lodges and guide services across the state catering to mostly out-of-state hunters, places where sportsmen and women from across the country descend to pay homage to one of America’s favorite game birds. —Chris Dorsey, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

While the state's regular firearm season attracts most of the attention each year, sportsmen and women have additional chances to hunt this winter in Michigan. —Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 2 Dec. 2024

The dogs were prized by sportsmen for their obedience and hunting skills. —Rosa Rahimi, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024

The use of the dance by athletes is a marked change from previous years when use of political iconography from professional sportsmen and women were often criticized by many. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sportsman

noun

sports·​man ˈspō(ə)rt-smən 

ˈspȯ(ə)rt-

1

: a person who engages in or is interested in sports and especially outdoor sports

2

: sport entry 2 sense 3

sportsmanlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

sportsmanly

-lē 

adjective