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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishPlaying fair and treating opponents with respect and grace.
Common pairings
good sportsmanship
poor sportsmanship
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Word forms
- Plural
- sportsmanships
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
See all rhymes for sportsmanship →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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