athleisure

American  

[ath-lee-zher, ‐lezh-er] / æθˈli ʒər, ‐leʒ ər /

noun

1. a style of clothing worn as athletic apparel but also suitable for casual, everyday wear.

   Athleisure looks great whether you're working out or just running errands.

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Etymology

Origin of athleisure

First recorded in 1975–80; ath(letics) ( def. ) + leisure ( def. )

Explanation

For those who like to go straight from the grocery store or library to the gym, athleisure is the fashion trend of choice. Athleisure clothing can be worn for both athletic activities and casual, everyday outings. Athleisure is a portmanteau of athletic and leisure, representing a style that bridges the gap between functional sportswear and casual, everyday attire. Leggings, fitted sweatpants, performance polo shirts, and sporty-looking sneakers are common athleisure items. The defining characteristic of athleisure is that it combines comfort and technical performance (like stretch and breathability) with style — e.g., trendy colors and a more tailored look. Athleisure is even becoming common at the office.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

athleisure

The athleisure retailer got a refund from tariffs that helped boost earnings per share by 86 cents.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

Some are opting for oversize silhouettes, gym-ready fabrics and athleisure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

She used “too much Lululemon,” as well as Alo and PE Nation to round out the athleisure.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026

The athleisure company’s shares fell in after-hours trading after reporting results.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026

When Gap bought Athleta nearly two decades ago, the athleisure industry was still nascent.

From MarketWatch ● May 31, 2026