Definition, synonyms and related words
plural of sport
"The sports section of the newspaper was filled with updates on both football and basketball games from last night."
In plain English: Sports are physical games and competitions played by teams or individuals to win.
"Many students join sports teams to stay active and make new friends."
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of sport
"When asked about his complex tactical adjustments, he just shrugged and said, 'I don't know much about it, I'm not really into playing sports.'"
To participate in sports; typically used by a person with little interest in the subject to derisively elide details of the activity in question.
In plain English: To sports means to compete in athletic games or events.
"I love to sports with my friends after work."
Usage: Use this derogatory phrasal construction only when you wish to dismiss someone's athletic endeavors without engaging with their specific efforts, as it implies a lack of genuine interest or respect for the sport being played. Avoid using "sports" here if you intend to discuss an athlete seriously or describe actual participation in competitive games.
The word sports comes from adding the plural suffix "-s" to the singular noun sport. It entered English as a direct borrowing of that existing term rather than evolving from an earlier form with a different meaning.