Varsity - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

Maybe your like

SKIP TO CONTENT varsity /ˈvɑrsədi/ /ˈvɑsɪti/ IPA guide

Other forms: varsities

The word varsity identifies the starting team in a sport at a college or university. You have to be good to make varsity.

At many schools, sports are a big deal. Thousands of people flock to college football and basketball games, plus other sports. The members of the starting team are varsity players. Varsity players are the best players: that’s why they start, and they usually finish the game too. It can take a while for a player to make varsity status.

Definitions of varsity

noun a team representing a high school, college, or university synonyms: first team see moresee less type of: squad, team a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
noun a British abbreviation of 'university'; usually refers to Oxford University or Cambridge University see moresee less type of: university the body of faculty and students at a university

Pronunciation US /ˈvɑrsədi/ UK /ˈvɑsɪti/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

MLA
APA
Chicago

Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘varsity'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing varsity

Language Gone Wrong: Words That Started Out as Errors

Language change is driven by mistakes. If every generation of children learned perfectly what they heard spoken around them, then languages would be exact duplicates of themselves, stretching years into the past. But this isn't what happens. Errors, mishearings, inversion of sounds, dropping and adding of sounds, all these phenomena and more drive historical language change. You'll find a few of these systematic inconsistencies that result in other word forms below, as well as singular instances that don't fit a pattern where linguists can pinpoint exactly what went "wrong."

"High School Football"

Pop goes the brain. In her news article, Tina Akouris poses and explores this question: "High School Football: Would a Pop Warner Ban Limit Concussions?" Here are all the word lists to support the reading of Grade 6 Unit 3's texts from SpringBoard's Common Core ELA series: Don't ban peanuts at school, Penny Problem, Should Dodge Ball Be Banned, Most Dangerous 'Sport', High School Football, Letter on Thomas Jefferson, E-Readers Catch Younger Eyes, The Pros and Cons of Social Networking, Social Networking's Good and Bad Impacts, Are social networking sites good, The First Americans

The Crossover Kwame Alexander

Twin brothers Josh and Jordan Bell clash both on and off the basketball court. How high can you score on this list of words from Alexander's award-winning novel in verse?

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.

Get started Learn with us

Learner subscriptions
Vocabulary lists
Dictionary
Test Prep
Join a Vocabulary Jam
Commonly confused words
Word of the day

Teach with us

For educators
For schools and districts
How it works
Success stories
Research
Professional development
Contact sales

Resources

Help articles/FAQ
Teaching resources
Learner resources
ESL/ELL resources
Grade level resources
IPA Pronunciation
Contact support

Leaderboards

Vocabulary Bowl
Today's leaders
Weekly leaders
Monthly leaders

About

Our Mission
Blog
Tell us what you think
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

My Account Log in Sign up

Log Out
My Learning
My Proficiency Report
My Profile
Schools & Teachers
My Classes
Assignments & Activities
My Lists
- Find a List to Learn...
- Create a New List...
My Progress
- Words I'm Learning
- My Trouble Words
- Words I've Mastered
- My Achievements
User Administration
User Authentication
My Account