esports
EE-spawrts
/ˈiːˌspɔːrts/
Organized, competitive video gaming played at a professional level, often in front of spectators.
Esports implies professionalization, including leagues, sponsors, coaches, salaries, and massive tournaments, distinguishing it from casual multiplayer gaming.
The story behind the word. The word is a portmanteau of 'electronic' and 'sports'. While competitive gaming tournaments have existed since the 1970s, the term 'esports' was coined in the late 1990s as South Korea established the first professional gaming leagues and television broadcasts.
Word relationships
- competitive gaming: Competitive gaming is a broad term for any serious play, while esports specifically denotes the professionalized industry and spectator sport.
- casual gaming: Casual gaming is playing for relaxation and fun without professional or highly competitive ambitions.
Commonly confused with
- sports: Traditional sports require primary physical exertion on a physical field, while esports require mental and fine-motor coordination in a virtual arena.
Word family
- esport (noun): A singular competitive game discipline (e.g., StarCraft is an esport).
Collocations
- esports tournament
- esports industry
- professional esports
- esports athlete
Example sentences
- "Esports has grown from a grassroots subculture into a multi-billion-dollar industry with global broadcasts." A news report on the growth of the gaming industry. (Forbes, 2019)
- "Millions of viewers tuned in to watch the global esports championship held in a packed arena in Seoul." Discussing a major tournament.
Memory hook
The 'e' stands for 'electronic'—sports played on a screen. Electronic sports in virtual arenas.
When not to use
Do not use to describe playing video games casually with friends on the weekend.
Fun facts
- The International Olympic Committee officially recognized esports by launching the Olympic Esports Series, highlighting its rapid integration into mainstream sports culture.
Explore more words
tournament, spectator, multiplayer, professionalism, espionage, sponsorship
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