sports
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for sports, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Plural of "sport" — physical competitive activities collectively.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use sports
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “sports” mean?
The word “sports” means plural of "sport" — physical competitive activities collectively. In plain terms, athletic games and competitive physical activities collectively.
How do you pronounce “sports”?
“Sports” is pronounced spawts (/spɔɹts/ in IPA).
How do you use “sports” in a sentence?
Here is “sports” used in a sentence: “She covers sports for the local newspaper.”
What part of speech is “sports”?
“Sports” is a noun.
Is “sports” a common word?
“Sports” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'sport' and 'sports'?
In British English, 'sport' is often used collectively ('I love sport'), while 'sports' is the plural for several activities ('three sports'). American English tends to use 'sports' for both ('I love sports'). Grammatically, 'sports' is simply the plural, but usage differs by region and by whether you mean the concept or specific games.
What are the main types of sports?
Sports are commonly grouped into team sports like football and basketball, and individual sports like tennis, golf, and athletics. Other categories include contact sports, racket sports, water sports, motor sports, and combat sports. They can also be split into amateur and professional, or indoor and outdoor activities.
Why are sports important?
Sports support physical health by building fitness, strength, and coordination. They also teach teamwork, discipline, and resilience, and provide a social outlet that brings people together. On a larger scale, sports create communities, careers, and shared cultural moments, from local leagues to global events like the Olympics.