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

Nike is also trying to rebound in the U.S., where big bets on athleisure and streetwear during the pandemic left it vulnerable to upstarts such as On and Hoka.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

People using GLP-1s were likelier to buy stretchy athleisure gear and tended to join workout clubs and take up activities like jogging and dog-walking, the analysts said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

Still, Jefferies analysts late Tuesday said the weaker outlook suggested that difficulties persist at the athleisure giant.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

The privately held company capitalizing on the athleisure trend was valued at $5 billion in November.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

If you were to catch the stylist off-duty she would most likely be sporting athleisure.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026