What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
athletes
Example
The athletes trained hard for months to prepare for the marathon. [athletes: noun]
Example
She is an incredible athlete, excelling in both swimming and running. [athlete: noun]
sportsman
Example
He is a true sportsman, always playing by the rules and showing respect to his opponents. [sportsman: noun]
Example
She enjoys being a sportsman and playing soccer with her friends on weekends. [sportsman: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Athletes is more commonly used than sportsman in everyday language. Athletes is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while sportsman is less common and may sound slightly old-fashioned.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between athletes and sportsman?
While athletes is generally considered more formal, sportsman has a more casual and informal tone. Sportsman is often used to emphasize fair play and good sportsmanship in recreational or amateur sports.
