varsity
English
Etymology
Mid 17th century. Clipping of university, reflecting an archaic pronunciation.[1]
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈvɑː.sɪt.i/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈvɑɹ.sɪt.i/
Audio (Canada): (file)
Noun
varsity (countable and uncountable, plural varsities)
- (often attributive) university
- (sports, US) The principal team representing an institution (usually a high school, college, or university.)
Usage notes
- Used attributively in the UK to describe a sports team representing a university or college, or a match involving such a team (in normal usage only applying to one of the older universities, and considered somewhat dated even then).
- Used attributively in the U.S. and Canada to describe a sports team made up of older high school or college students (generally the 3rd and 4th years of a 4-year program), as contrasted with the junior varsity team made up of 1st- and 2nd-year students.
Derived terms
Translations
university — see university
References
- ^ “varsity”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.