"letterman" means: A student who has attained a specified level of participation in a sporting or other activity, and is awarded a cloth “letter” to be affixed.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
letterman
(US) A student who has attained a specified level of participation in a sporting or other activity, and is awarded a cloth “letter” to be affixed to an item of clothing.
Seen in the wild
Letterman passing up a chance to lambast CBS? Will never happen.
David Letterman said what he said.
David Letterman doubts late-night’s future before Colbert finale | David Letterman https://www.europesays.com/uk/939597/ Ahead of the final episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on CBS, former network late-n…
David Letterman doubts late-night’s future before Colbert finale
Watching it again, I miss Letterman so much "Hey John, I got a question. You need a ride to the airport?" lol
Definitions
(US) A student who has attained a specified level of participation in a sporting or other activity, and is awarded a cloth “letter” to be affixed to an item of clothing.
"letterman" means: A student who has attained a specified level of participation in a sporting or other activity, and is awarded a cloth “letter” to be affixed.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
"letterman" means: A student who has attained a specified level of participation in a sporting or other activity, and is awarded a cloth “letter” to be affixed.... Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (US) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in
“Letterman passing up a chance to lambast CBS? Will never happen.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“David Letterman said what he said.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“David Letterman doubts late-night’s future before Colbert finale | David Letterman https://www.europesays.com/uk/939597/ Ahead of the final episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on CBS, former network late-night host…”
— Bluesky· May 2026“David Letterman doubts late-night’s future before Colbert finale”
— Bluesky· May 2026“Watching it again, I miss Letterman so much "Hey John, I got a question. You need a ride to the airport?" lol”
— Bluesky· May 2026
Comments
For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Other words near "letterman" (L)
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Related terms
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Semantically related
- letterwoman74%
A US term for a female letterman -- a student athlete who has earned a varsity letter for their school, indicating high-level athletic achievement. The word parallels 'letterman' but applies the same recognition to women athletes. Its use acknowledges parallel achievement while highlighting how the original term was gendered male, requiring a new form for women. The word fills a genuine gap left by the gendered original.
- letterwoman72%
The female equivalent of a letterman — a woman who has earned a varsity letter by competing in a school or college sport. While the term 'letterman' dominated for most of American sports history, letterwoman emerged as schools recognised female athletes deserved the same title. It's specific to the US high school and college athletics tradition of awarding embroidered letter jackets to standout players.
- letterwoman72%
(US) A female letterman.
- letterman-jacketed68%
(US) Wearing a letterman jacket.
- letter jacket68%
(US) A jacket traditionally worn by high-school and college students to represent school and team pride or to display their athletic or academic awards.