athletic

[ ath-let-ik ]

/ æθˈlɛt ɪk /

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).

Nearby words

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

Origin of athletic

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

Related forms

ath·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, adverb

qua·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. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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
Nothing could have been finer, athletically considered, than his attitude at this moment of the trader's speculative observation.
The Frontiersmen|Charles Egbert Craddock
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

The carefully groomed, athletically muscled younger man in the big wicker lounging-chair laughed easily.
The Real Man|Francis Lynde
"The Cenci" is austere; for Shelley, it is athletically economical.
The Critical Game|John Albert Macy

British Dictionary definitions for athletically

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

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