Synonyms of the word

ballplayer

• n. A player of a ball game; especially a basketball, baseball, or football player.

athlete

• n. A participant in a group of sporting activities which includes track and field, road running, cross country…
• n. (US, Canada) A person who actively participates in physical sports, especially with great skill; a sportsperson.
• n. An exceptionally physically fit person.

jock

• n. (slang, archaic) A common man.
• n. (Britain, slang, pejorative) A Scotsman.
• n. (slang, rare, dated) The penis.
• n. An athletic supporter worn by men to support the genitals especially during sports, a jockstrap.
• n. (US, slang) A young male athlete (through college age).
• n. (US, slang, pejorative) An enthusiastic athlete or sports fan, especially one with few other interests…
• n. (US, slang, computing, in combination) A specialist computer programmer.
• v. (slang) to masturbate.
• v. (slang) to humiliate.
• v. (slang) to steal.

participant

• n. One who participates.
• adj. Sharing; participating; having a share of part.

player

• n. One that plays.
• n. One who is playful; one without serious aims; an idler; a trifler.
• n. A significant participant.
• n. (informal) A person who plays the field rather than having a long-term sexual relationship.