sponsor
gb/spˈɑnsɚ/ us/spˈɑnsɚ/
B1
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Person or group giving support
A person or group that gives money or help to support something or someone.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a sponsor of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sponsor' with 'donor'; a donor often gives without ongoing involvement, while a sponsor may expect publicity or other returns.
Synonyms
patron (Often used for individuals who support the arts or charities, sometimes with a more personal connection.)
|
backer (Informal; usually refers to someone who supports a project or venture financially.)
Antonyms
beneficiary (The opposite role — someone who receives support rather than giving it.)
Collocations
corporate sponsor
|event sponsor
|main sponsor
|official sponsor
|find a sponsor
Themes
business
|sports
|charity
|finance
Examples
- The company became the main sponsor of the local football team.
- Several sponsors contributed funds for the charity run.
- We are looking for a sponsor to help cover the costs of the festival.
- Her trip was made possible by a generous sponsor.
- The event could not happen without its sponsors.
Learner examples
- The school has a new sponsor.
- A bank is the sponsor of the concert.
- We need a sponsor for our trip.
- The sponsor gave money to the team.
Verb
B1
action
2
Give support to something
To give money or help to support something or someone.
Usage pattern:
to sponsor [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'sponsor' only means giving money, but it can also mean officially supporting a proposal, such as in politics.
Synonyms
fund (Focuses on providing money specifically, without necessarily implying promotion.)
|
support (More general; can include non-financial assistance.)
Antonyms
withdraw support (To stop giving help or funding.)
Collocations
sponsor a child
|sponsor an event
|sponsor legislation
|corporations sponsor
|government sponsors
Themes
business
|sports
|charity
|finance
Examples
- The company will sponsor the marathon next year.
- We sponsored three children through the charity program.
- Several businesses sponsored the art exhibition.
- They agreed to sponsor the new community center project.
- The senator sponsored a bill to improve healthcare access.
Learner examples
- My uncle will sponsor our trip.
- The bank will sponsor the football match.
- We want to sponsor a child in Africa.
- She sponsored a new sports event.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
3
Person introducing legislation
A politician who brings a new law idea to the government and supports it.
Synonyms
proposer (General term for someone who puts forward an idea or motion.)
Antonyms
opponent (A person who argues against the bill.)
Collocations
bill sponsor
|chief sponsor
|legislation sponsor
Themes
politics
|law
Examples
- The bill's sponsor argued passionately for its passage.
- She was the chief sponsor of the environmental reform act.
- Sponsors of the bill hope it will be passed this year.
Learner examples
- He is the sponsor of the new law.
- The sponsor wants the law to pass.
- She is one of the sponsors of the bill.
Noun
B2
entity
4
Person responsible for another officially
A person who is officially responsible for another person in some situations.
Synonyms
guarantor (Specifically someone who promises to be responsible for another's obligations.)
Collocations
immigration sponsor
|wedding sponsor
|godparent sponsor
Themes
law
|religion
|relationships
Examples
- You need a Canadian citizen as your immigration sponsor.
- She was chosen as the baby's baptism sponsor.
- An adult must act as your sponsor for this application.
Learner examples
- My uncle is my immigration sponsor.
- Her aunt is her baptism sponsor.
- You need a sponsor for this process.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sponsor
IPA
GB/spˈɑnsɚ/
US/spˈɑnsɚ/
Syllables & stress
spon - sor (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (spon)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sponsor
- Plural: sponsors
Verb
- Base: sponsor
- 3rd Person Singular: sponsors
- Present Participle: sponsoring
- Past: sponsored
Word family
Forms
sponsors
noun
sponsoring
verb
sponsored
verb
Core family
sponsorship
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unsponsored
adjective
Expressions
corporate sponsor
1/kˈɔɹpɚɪt spˈɑnsɚ/
fixed phrase
Business giving financial support
A company that gives money to help an event, activity, or person, usually in return for advertising.
Examples
- Several corporate sponsors funded the sports tournament.
- Our main corporate sponsor is a large tech company.
find a sponsor
1/fˈaɪnd ə spˈɑnsɚ/
fixed phrase
Look for someone to support you
To look for someone who will give money or help for something you want to do.
Examples
- We need to find a sponsor for our charity event.
- It's hard to find a sponsor for such a small project.
official sponsor
1/əfˈɪʃəl spˈɑnsɚ/
fixed phrase
Organization with formal supporter role
A company or group that has formal status as a supporter of an event or activity.
Examples
- Pepsi is the official sponsor of the music festival.
- The race has three official sponsors this year.