varsity
varsity — adjective
1. relating to the most advanced level of a school or college sports programme, whe
relating to the most advanced level of a school or college sports programme, where the best players are chosen to represent the institution in official competitions.
Min made the varsity basketball team as a freshman.
collocation: make the varsity [sport] team
Tunde practises with the varsity squad every afternoon after classes end.
Coach Okonkwo was promoted to lead the varsity squad after three years coaching the junior varsity team.
Élise earned a varsity letter in track after breaking the school record.
- first-string
emphasises the starting lineup rather than the whole team level
- top-level
more general; can apply outside sports contexts
- junior varsity
the lower level team for less experienced players
文法句型
varsity + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Frequently contrasts with junior varsity (JV), which refers to a lower-level team for less experienced players. A varsity letter or jacket is a common reward for participation at this level.
常見錯誤
varsity — noun
1. the best team from a school or college that plays in official sports competition
the best team from a school or college that plays in official sports competitions against other schools.
Samir was thrilled when he made the varsity in his sophomore year.
collocation: make the varsity
Otis has been on the varsity since ninth grade and is now team captain.
collocation: be on the varsity
Cyrus wore his father's old varsity jacket, a faded letter on the front.
Mauricio played for the varsity for three seasons before a knee injury ended his run.
- first team
common in British English for top-level squads; less tied to school structures
- A-team
informal, used in some school systems
- junior varsity
the second-level team for developing players
- JV
abbreviation of junior varsity
文法句型
make the varsity
be on the varsity
play for the varsity
用法筆記
Common in high school and college sports contexts in North America. When used as a noun, 'varsity' refers to the team itself. The adjective form (e.g., 'varsity team') is more frequent, but 'make the varsity' and 'be on the varsity' are fixed noun phrases. Contrast with 'junior varsity' (JV), the second-level team.
常見錯誤
2. a shortened word for university, used in informal British English and most commo
a shortened word for university, used in informal British English and most commonly associated with Oxford or Cambridge.
Faisal is applying to varsity this autumn and hopes to study law.
collocation: apply to varsity
Talia spent three happy years at varsity, where she discovered a passion for archaeology.
collocation: at varsity
The annual boat race between the two top varsities draws a huge television audience.
Apinya remembers her varsity days — especially the late-night sessions in the college library — as the best time of her life.
- university
the full form; more formal and neutral across all varieties of English
- uni
another informal British shortening, more common in Australia and New Zealand
文法句型
at varsity
go to varsity
用法筆記
Chiefly British and informal. In the UK, going to 'varsity' usually means attending university — often specifically Oxford or Cambridge. This sense is very rare in American English, where 'varsity' almost always refers to a sports team. Do not capitalise unless it is part of a proper name.