athlete

[ ath-leet ]

/ ˈæθ lit /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR athlete ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.

Nearby words

atherosclerosis, atherton, athetosis, athirst, athleisure, athlete, athlete's foot, athlete's heart, athletic, athletic heart, athletic shoe

Origin of athlete

1520–30; < Latin āthlēta < Greek āthlētḗs, equivalent to āthlē- (variant stem of āthleîn to contend for a prize, derivative of âthlos a contest) + -tēs suffix of agency

Related forms

non·ath·lete, nounsu·per·ath·lete, noun

Pronunciation note

Athlete, athletic, and athletics, normally pronounced

[ath-leet] /ˈæθ lit/,

[ath-let-ik] /æθˈlɛt ɪk/, and

[ath-let-iks] /æθˈlɛt ɪks/, are heard frequently with an epenthetic schwa, an intrusive unstressed vowel inserted between the first and second syllables:

[ath-uh-leet] /ˈæθ əˌlit/,

[ath-uh-let-ik] /ˌæθ əˈlɛt ɪk/, and

[ath-uh-let-iks] /ˌæθ əˈlɛt ɪks/. The pronunciations containing the extra syllable are usually considered nonstandard, in spite of their widespread use on radio and television. Pronunciations with similarly intrusive vowels are also heard, though with less currency, for other words, as

[fil-uh m] /ˈfɪl əm/ for film,

[el-uh m] /ˈɛl əm/ for elm, and

[ahr-thuh-rahy-tis] /ˌɑr θəˈraɪ tɪs/ for arthritis, rather than the standard

[film] /fɪlm/,

[elm] /ɛlm/, and

[ahr-thrahy-tis] /ɑrˈθraɪ tɪs/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for athlete

Nowhere to be found is the anguish, the drama, the pain of an athlete on that level who considering walking away.
The Story of the World’s Greatest Cricket Player|William O’Connor|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But I think that the more important question is will I see a benefit as an athlete?
Does Fasted Cardio Really Burn More Fat?|DailyBurn|August 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left?
LeBron James Returns to Cleveland: How 'The Decision 2.0' Happened|Robert Silverman|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ryan Totka, a celebrity booking agent and founder of sports marketing company Athlete Promotions, agrees.
Back Off, B*tches. There’s Only One Butt Selfie Queen|Cheryl Wischhover|May 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

When an athlete, of any race, thanks God after an impressive feat, nobody takes note.
Matthew McConaughey’s God Moment|William O’Connor|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was blank on one side, but, at the sight of the reverse the athlete uttered a cry.
Batting to Win|Lester Chadwick
He flung aside the whole work, got to his feet with the imperative need of an athlete for the open.
Birthright|T.S. Stribling
The prince was an athlete, but the man holding him was at this moment made of iron.
The Lure of the Mask|Harold MacGrath
He fancied himself an athlete of possibilities and a supple dancer.
This Side of Paradise|F. Scott Fitzgerald
He is perfectly healthy, but he is slight, and will never be an athlete.
The Opinions of a Philosopher|Robert Grant

British Dictionary definitions for athlete

athlete

/ (ˈæθliːt) /

noun

a person trained to compete in sports or exercises involving physical strength, speed, or endurance

a person who has a natural aptitude for physical activities

mainly British a competitor in track and field events

Word Origin for athlete

C18: from Latin via Greek athlētēs, from athlein to compete for a prize, from athlos a contest

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012