athletic
Americanadjective
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physically active and strong; good at athletics or sports.
an athletic child.
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of, like, or befitting an athlete.
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of or relating to athletes; involving the use of physical skills or capabilities, as strength, agility, or stamina: athletic training.
athletic sports;
athletic training.
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for athletics.
an athletic field.
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Psychology. (of a physical type) having a sturdy build or well-proportioned body structure.
adjective
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physically fit or strong; muscular or active
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of, relating to, or suitable for an athlete or for athletics
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of or relating to a person with a muscular and well-proportioned body See also somatotype
Pronunciation
See athlete.
Other Word Forms
- athletically adverb
- athleticism noun
- nonathletic adjective
- nonathletically adverb
- quasi-athletic adjective
- quasi-athletically adverb
- unathletic adjective
- unathletically adverb
Etymology
Origin of athletic
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin āthlēticus, from Greek āthlētikós; athlete, -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Two years later, Sarkesian became athletic director at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan., Lopes went with him.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026
The Big Ten Conference continued its dominant 2025-26 athletic season with the Univeristy of Michigan’s 69-63 victory over the University of Connecticut in the men’s basketball national championship game on Monday night.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
The family of a 13-year-old who died in a crash have paid tribute to a "fun, bright, handsome, athletic" boy who was "incredibly well-liked".
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
So what might happen if athletic departments lost their tax-exempt, charitable status?
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
Sometimes I’d give myself an aggressive voice and firm, athletic timbre.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
