athletic
[ath-let-ik]
- 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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Origin of athletic
Pronunciation note
See athlete.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for athletic
Contemporary Examples
With all due respect to his athletic skill, Gronkowski is not high on the list of NFL players that elicit carnal thoughts.
He is an immensely talented quarterback who has dedicated his entire life to athletic excellence and discipline.
The athletic community was putting pressure on him to say that he was pro-Olympics and pro-athletes.
Horace was athletic and clever, known, probably apocryphally, as the fastest cotton picker in Clay County.
Princess Charlene of Monaco, the athletic, South African bride of Prince Albert, is also with child.
Historical Examples
He was an athletic man, and the indolence of camp life did not suit him as it did Yates.
In the Midst of AlarmsRobert Barr
"Why, you've been made an honorary member of the athletic committee," Ned went on.
Frank Roscoe's SecretAllen Chapman
On their right and left pressed the men, an athletic, hearty, well-fed gang.
Homeward BoundJames Fenimore Cooper
It lacks the neatness, the athletic movement of Paine's English.
Shelley, Godwin and Their CircleH. N. Brailsford
You never were in the athletic set, and so it is possible that you don't.
The Stark Munro LettersJ. Stark Munro
athletic
- 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
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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
Word Origin and History for athletic
adj.
1630s (athletical is from 1590s), "pertaining to an athlete," from Latin athleticus, from Greek athletikos, from athletes (see athlete). Meaning "strong of body; vigorous; lusty; robust" [Johnson, who spells it athletick] is from 1650s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper