athlete's foot

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a contagious disease, caused by a fungus that thrives on moist surfaces; ringworm of the feet.

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athlete's foot British  

noun

1. Technical name: tinea pedis.  a fungal infection of the skin of the foot, esp between the toes and on the soles

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Etymology

Origin of athlete's foot

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

athlete's foot

Patients arrived with gangrenous foot wounds that harried providers elsewhere brushed off as athlete’s foot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026

Norms eventually hopes to offer products for “the butt to the gut and beyond,” Katz said about future ventures for athlete’s foot, jock itch and constipation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025

Co-host Maya Jama then joked that Kemp had athlete's foot, which would have been a decent joke if they'd been drinking from his shoe.

From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2024

Coconut oil is a great natural remedy for all sorts of skin problems: dry skin, itchiness, athlete’s foot, ringworm, diaper rash, and eczema.

From National Geographic ● Feb. 7, 2024

It’s like saying the Greeks died of mumps, or the proud Romans died on their beautiful hills of athlete’s foot!

From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury