athletic

[ ath-let-ik ]

/ æθˈlɛt ɪk /

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See synonyms for athletic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

physically active and strong; good at athletics or sports: an athletic child.

of, like, or befitting an athlete.

of or relating to athletes; involving the use of physical skills or capabilities, as strength, agility, or stamina: athletic sports;athletic training.

for athletics: an athletic field.

Psychology. (of a physical type) having a sturdy build or well-proportioned body structure.Compare asthenic (def. 2), pyknic (def. 1).

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of athletic

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin āthlēticus, from Greek āthlētikós; see athlete, -ic

how to pronounce athletic

See athlete.

OTHER WORDS FROM athletic

ath·let·i·cal·ly, adverbath·let·i·cism

[ath-let-uh-siz-uhm], /æθˈlɛt əˌsɪz əm/, nounnon·ath·let·ic, adjectivenon·ath·let·i·cal·ly, adverb

qua·si-ath·let·ic, adjectivequa·si-ath·let·i·cal·ly, adverbun·ath·let·ic, adjectiveun·ath·let·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby athletic

athirst, athleisure, athlete, athlete's foot, athlete's heart, athletic, athleticism, athletics, athletic shoe, athletic support, athodyd

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use athletic in a sentence

On the 5½-hour bus ride back to campus, he phoned his athletic director to convey the same news and to ask for a meeting in the morning, which was Super Bowl Sunday.
A rare disease, a covid diagnosis, a painful decision: The death of basketball coach Lew Hill|Dave Sheinin|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
In an ideal world, I’d find someone who is honest, driven, and athletic.
Meet D.C.’s Most Eligible LGBTQ Singles|Staff reports|February 11, 2021|Washington Blade
Keller’s athletic fame, 6-foot-6 stature and his decision to wear a Team USA jacket inside the Capitol aided investigators and distinguished him amid the mob that stormed the building.
Grand jury beefs up charges against Olympian Klete Keller related to Capitol riot|Rick Maese|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
The Ivy League is the only Division I conference that has yet to hold an athletic competition this academic year.
Ivy League sports were shut down quickly by coronavirus. A restart is proving much slower.|Glynn A. Hill|February 10, 2021|Washington Post

Their tough leather, light synthetic insulation, and thick neoprene cuffs make the Fall Line perfect for protecting my hands from the elements without being too warm for athletic movement.
The Best Ski Gloves Are the Simplest Ones|Joe Jackson|February 10, 2021|Outside Online
With all due respect to his athletic skill, Gronkowski is not high on the list of NFL players that elicit carnal thoughts.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He is an immensely talented quarterback who has dedicated his entire life to athletic excellence and discipline.
Justin Bieber Isn’t Even 21, Yet Makes More Money Than Meryl Streep|Amy Zimmerman|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The athletic community was putting pressure on him to say that he was pro-Olympics and pro-athletes.
‘To Russia With Love’: Can Johnny Weir Save Russia’s Gays?|Kevin Fallon|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Horace was athletic and clever, known, probably apocryphally, as the fastest cotton picker in Clay County.
Those Kansas City Blues: A Family History|Katie Baker|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I noticed, with Newsies and with this especially, that dancing on Broadway has become so much more athletic than it used to be.
Nigel Lythgoe on How to Save Reality TV, ‘On the Town,’ and ‘Brokeback Ballroom’|Kevin Fallon|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At first the dozen or more girls had practiced on their athletic field, which was now snow-covered, too.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
They even called on Jess Morse by name, and hitched that name to the battle cry of their athletic field.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
His clothes fitted him well, and displayed to advantage a figure which, although short, was well made and athletic.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
His leaning position brought out the breadth of his shoulders and emphasized the athletic lines of his figure.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
For once in her life, Gale was thoroughly glad for her athletic training and gymnastic ability.
The Adventure Girls at K Bar O|Clair Blank

British Dictionary definitions for athletic

athletic

/ (æθˈlɛtɪk) /

adjective

physically fit or strong; muscular or active

of, relating to, or suitable for an athlete or for athletics

of or relating to a person with a muscular and well-proportioned bodySee also somatotype

Derived forms of athletic

athletically, adverbathleticism, noun

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

athletic

Origin of athletic

how to pronounce athletic

OTHER WORDS FROM athletic

Words nearby athletic

Words related to athletic

How to use athletic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for athletic

Derived forms of athletic