sporting man—a man interested in sport from purely mercantile motives (one who gambles at cards, on horse racing, etc.):
- Every sporting man is flattered if termed a sportsman, but it would be almost an insult to speak to a sportsman as a sporting man.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase sporting woman—a woman with loose morals; a prostitute:
- The existence of a colony of sporting women at Nose Creek was prejudicially affecting the morals and welfare of the community.
sportsman—
1. a man who is interested in or practices sport:
- They sought a test which would produce the best all-round sportsman in the world.
2. a man who hunts wild animals or game for pleasure:
- The sportsman must not expect great success in cock shooting in a very severe frost.