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

Syracuse, New York CNN — As two other crosstown rivals played a thrilling lacrosse game that went into overtime one night last week, some members of the Westhill High School boys’ varsity lacrosse team were in the stands hatching a plan. —Shimon Prokupecz, CNN Money, 1 May 2025

Most of the suspects are allegedly members of the boys varsity lacrosse team. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2025

Still, with a few weeks to go until the playoffs, the Palisades’ varsity team has a singular goal in mind: To return to Dodger Stadium for the City Section finals next month. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Although flag football is not yet an official UIL varsity sport, there is growing support. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 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