How to pronounce sportsmanship
Say it like SPORT-smun-ship. Sportsmanship has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPORT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sportsmanship. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPORT
- smun
- ship
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sportsmanship pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPORTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- smunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- shipGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of sportsmanship
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SPAWT-smun-ship.
What does sportsmanship mean?
- The good attitude/behavior displayed by players of a game; fairness, determination, magnanimity, courtesy towards opponents, and winning or losing gracefully.
- The behavior exhibited in playing sports, either good or bad.“James showed good sportsmanship in consoling Shankar after his wicket fell.”
Where does sportsmanship come from?
From sports + -manship.
Questions about saying sportsmanship
How do you pronounce sportsmanship?
Say SPORT-smun-ship. The American pronunciation is /ˈspɔrtsmənˌʃɪp/. In British English it is /ˈspɔːtsmənˌʃɪp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sportsmanship?
Sportsmanship has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SPORT). Broken into parts: SPORT · smun · ship.
Is sportsmanship pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈspɔːtsmənˌʃɪp/ (SPAWT-smun-ship).