sportsmanship
gb/spˈɔɹtsmənʃˌɪp/ us/spˈɔɹtsmənʃˌɪp/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
abstract
1
fair and respectful behavior in sport
behaving fairly and politely in a game or contest
Usage pattern:
[someone] shows/displays sportsmanship (in [situation])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes misspell it as 'sportmanship' or confuse it with 'sportsman' (a person).
Synonyms
fair play (Common synonym emphasizing playing by the rules.)
|
graciousness (Emphasizes polite, generous behavior in victory or defeat.)
Antonyms
unsportsmanlike conduct (Refers to unfair or disrespectful behavior in competition.)
|
cheating (Directly opposes fairness and honesty in play.)
Collocations
good sportsmanship
|poor sportsmanship
|show sportsmanship
|display sportsmanship
|lack of sportsmanship
|true sportsmanship
|exemplary sportsmanship
|sportsmanship award
|sportsmanship ethic
|sportsmanship spirit
Themes
sports
|competition
|ethics
|behavior
Examples
- The coach praised her sportsmanship after she helped her opponent up.
- Even after the loss, the team showed sportsmanship by congratulating the winners.
- Jeering at the referee is not sportsmanship.
Learner examples
- Sportsmanship means playing fair.
- He showed sportsmanship after he lost.
Noun
C1
abstract
2
fair conduct in any rivalry
being fair and respectful when you compete or disagree
Usage pattern:
sportsmanship between [groups/people]; sportsmanship in [context]
Synonyms
civility (Focuses on polite, respectful behavior, especially in public disagreement.)
|
fair-mindedness (Stresses being just and reasonable rather than biased.)
Antonyms
pettiness (Small-minded, resentful behavior instead of generous fairness.)
|
spite (A desire to hurt or embarrass an opponent rather than treat them fairly.)
Collocations
political sportsmanship
|professional sportsmanship
|sportsmanship in debate
|sportsmanship between rivals
|sportsmanship in negotiations
|sportsmanship after the vote
|sportsmanship in business
|a gesture of sportsmanship
Themes
social_life
|work
|politics
|behavior
Examples
- After a tense campaign, both candidates showed sportsmanship and urged their supporters to stay calm.
- It took real sportsmanship to admit the other team had the better plan.
- The argument ended with an unexpected act of sportsmanship: a sincere apology.
Learner examples
- We need sportsmanship when we disagree.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sportsmanship
IPA
GB/spˈɔɹtsmənʃˌɪp/
US/spˈɔɹtsmənʃˌɪp/
Syllables & stress
sports - man - ship (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sports)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sportsmanship
- Plural: sportsmanship
Expressions
good sportsmanship
1/ɡˈʊd spˈɔɹtsmənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
fair and polite behavior in sport
being fair and polite in a game
Examples
- The league gives a trophy for good sportsmanship each season.
- She showed good sportsmanship by congratulating the winner.
- Good sportsmanship means respecting the referee’s decision.
in the spirit of sportsmanship
1/ˈɪn ðə spˈɪɹɪt əv spˈɔɹtsmənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
with fairness and respect
in a fair and respectful way
Examples
- In the spirit of sportsmanship, the teams agreed to replay the point.
- He accepted the decision in the spirit of sportsmanship.
- They shook hands afterward in the spirit of sportsmanship.
poor sportsmanship
1/pˈʊɹ spˈɔɹtsmənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
unfair or rude behavior in sport
behaving badly or unfairly in a game
Examples
- Throwing your racket is a sign of poor sportsmanship.
- The referee penalized him for poor sportsmanship after the match.
- Booing injured players is poor sportsmanship.