varsity
/ˈvɑː.sɪ.ti/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: varsities
Sense 1
Meaning · English
university
Noun
Examples
[…] and then to lyrically proclaim that, not only was it a way they had in the Varsity to drive dull care away, but that the same practice was also pursued in the army and navy for the attainment of a similar end.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
The principal sports team representing an institution (usually a high school, college, or university.)
NounRegister: US
Examples
There were sixteen of them in all, for the most part upper classmen who had failed to make the varsity the year before, with a sprinkling of sophomores and two freshmen.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “varsity” mean?
university
Is “varsity” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.