noun B1 Intermediate

sportsmanship

Sportsmanship (noun) means Fair, gracious, and respectful behavior in competition, win or lose. Example: “Shaking hands after the match is a small but important act of sportsmanship.”

noun

Fair, gracious, and respectful behavior in competition, win or lose.

"Shaking hands after the match is a small but important act of sportsmanship."

"The coach emphasized sportsmanship over winning at all costs."

How to use sportsmanship

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPlaying fair and treating opponents with respect and grace.

Common pairings

good sportsmanship poor sportsmanship

Word forms

sportsmanships plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Shaking hands after the match is a small but important act of _____.

Etymology

Formed from "sportsman" plus "-ship," the same suffix seen in "leadership."

Rhymes for sportsmanship

penmanship workmanship showmanship guardianship marksmanship craftsmanship swordsmanship

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Frequently asked questions

What does “sportsmanship” mean?

The word “sportsmanship” means fair, gracious, and respectful behavior in competition, win or lose. In plain terms, playing fair and treating opponents with respect and grace.

How do you use “sportsmanship” in a sentence?

Here is “sportsmanship” used in a sentence: “Shaking hands after the match is a small but important act of sportsmanship.”

What part of speech is “sportsmanship”?

“Sportsmanship” is a noun.

What is the meaning of sportsmanship?

"sportsmanship" (noun) means fair, gracious, and respectful behavior in competition, win or lose.

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