athletic

[ath-let-ik]

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).

Origin of athletic

1595–1605; < Latin āthlēticus < Greek āthlētikós. See athlete, -ic

Related formsath·let·i·cal·ly, adverbath·let·i·cism

[ath-let-uh-siz-uh m] /æθˈlɛt əˌsɪz əm/, nounnon·ath·let·ic, adjectivenon·ath·let·i·cal·ly, adverbqua·si-ath·let·ic, adjectivequa·si-ath·let·i·cal·ly, adverbun·ath·let·ic, adjectiveun·ath·let·i·cal·ly, adverb

Pronunciation note

See athlete.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for athletically

Contemporary Examples of athletically

The school, in my judgment, has always had an abusive environment—emotionally, intellectually, socially, athletically.
Tip for Horace Mann: Rename School Field for Former Teacher Robert Moses
Doug Schoen
June 12, 2012

Historical Examples of athletically

"The Cenci" is austere; for Shelley, it is athletically economical.
The Critical Game
John Albert Macy
Nothing could have been finer, athletically considered, than his attitude at this moment of the trader's speculative observation.
The Frontiersmen
Charles Egbert Craddock
The carefully groomed, athletically muscled younger man in the big wicker lounging-chair laughed easily.
The Real Man
Francis Lynde
He was a general favourite, and, though not athletically inclined, was always ready to assist in acting cox or kindred work.
Two Daring Young Patriots
W. P. Shervill
Then, of course, there is the young person who is athletically inclined, and insists on wearing sport clothes on all occasions.
Book of Etiquette, Volume 2
Lillian Eichler Watson

British Dictionary definitions for athletically

athletic

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 Formsathletically, 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

Word Origin and History for athletically

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.