sportsperson: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumneutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “sportsperson” mean?
A person who takes part in sports, especially at a professional or competitive level.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who takes part in sports, especially at a professional or competitive level.
An individual who participates in physical activities, games, or exercises requiring skill, physical prowess, and often competition; often used as a gender-neutral alternative to 'sportsman' or 'sportswoman'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'sportsperson' is a standard, accepted term, though 'sportsman'/'sportswoman' are also common. In American English, 'athlete' is overwhelmingly preferred; 'sportsperson' is understood but rarely used and can sound formal or like jargon.
Connotations
In the UK, it often carries a formal or official tone (e.g., in awards, journalism). In the US, it may sound like bureaucratic or forced gender-neutral language.
Frequency
Much more frequent in UK English than in US English, where 'athlete' is the default.
Grammar
How to Use “sportsperson” in a Sentence
[Adjective] sportspersonsportsperson of [noun phrase, e.g., the year]sportsperson in [sport/field]sportsperson who [clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in sponsorship deals, marketing, and sports management contexts (e.g., 'The brand seeks a reputable sportsperson for endorsement.').
Academic
Used in sports science, sociology, and gender studies to discuss participation and representation (e.g., 'The study analysed the diet of the elite sportsperson.').
Everyday
Used in general conversation, though 'athlete' or 'player' is more common, especially in the US (e.g., 'She's a very dedicated sportsperson.').
Technical
Used in official classifications, coaching manuals, and sports governance documents to ensure gender-inclusive language.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sportsperson”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sportsperson”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sportsperson”
- Using 'sportsperson' as a plural (the plural is 'sportspersons' or more commonly 'sportspeople').
- Overusing in American English where 'athlete' is natural.
- Incorrectly hyphenating as 'sports-person'. The standard form is one word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'sportsperson' is explicitly gender-neutral and is used to refer to any person who participates in sports, regardless of gender.
The standard plurals are 'sportspersons' and 'sportspeople'. 'Sportspeople' is more common in everyday usage.
It is understood but very rarely used in American English, where 'athlete' is the overwhelmingly preferred term. Using 'sportsperson' in the US can sound overly formal or like jargon.
Yes, it can refer to anyone who takes part in sports, whether amateur or professional, though it often implies a certain level of seriousness or skill.
A person who takes part in sports, especially at a professional or competitive level.
Sportsperson is usually neutral to formal in register.
Sportsperson: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɔːtspɜːs(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɔːrtspɜːrsən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sportsperson of the year (a specific award title)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'sports' event where every 'person' is a participant. Combine the two words: sports + person = sportsperson.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SPORTSPERSON IS A WARRIOR (e.g., battling opponents, fighting to win), A SPORTSPERSON IS AN ARTIST (e.g., displaying skill and grace).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the term 'sportsperson' most commonly and naturally used?