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disport

noun
dis·​port | \ di-ˈspÈŻrt How to pronounce disport (audio) \

Definition of disport

 (Entry 1 of 2)

archaic
: sport, pastime

disport

verb
disported; disporting; disports

Definition of disport (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : divert, amuse
2 : display

intransitive verb

: to amuse oneself in light or lively fashion : frolic
Other Words from disport Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about disport

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Other Words from disport

Verb

disportment \ di-​ˈspÈŻrt-​mənt How to pronounce disportment (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for disport

Synonyms: Verb

amuse, divert, entertain, regale, solace

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Did You Know?

Verb

Geoffrey Chaucer was one of the first writers to amuse the reading public with the verb "disport." Chaucer and his contemporaries carried the word into English from Anglo-French, adapting it from desporter, meaning "to carry away, comfort, or entertain." The word can ultimately be traced back to the Latin verb portare, meaning "to carry." "Deport," "portable," and "transport" are among the members of the "portare" family.

Examples of disport in a Sentence

Verb

 disported themselves with silly games while they waited in the airport a full-service resort where vacationers may disport at a variety of indoor and outdoor activities

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 Zeman has disported himself as one of Putin’s most outspoken allies inside the European Union, in particular as an opponent of the sanctions imposed on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine in 2014. — David Frum, The Atlantic, "The New Test to Democracy in the Czech Republic," 23 Oct. 2017 Today, in the face of widespread public revulsion, some of the marchers discover that being identified disporting themselves has unpleasant consequences. — John E. Mcintyre, baltimoresun.com, "First time tragedy, second time farce," 14 Aug. 2017 They’re seen disporting in matching white bathrobes, doing Tai Chi or playing croquet or doing crossword puzzles or playing cards, seemingly living in slow motion on the manicured lawn and marbled patio of an enormous courtyard. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "The Tasteless Intricacies of “A Cure for Wellness”," 16 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disport.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of disport

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for disport

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French desporter, to carry away, comfort, entertain, from des- dis- + porter to carry, from Latin portare — more at fare

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with disport

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for disport

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