athleticism

American  

[ath-let-uh-siz-uhm] / æθˈlɛt əˌsɪz əm /

noun

• athleticisms
  plural

1. a high degree of natural talent, strength, or enthusiasm in physical sports or exercises.

   Yoga should be accessible to all people regardless of body type, level of athleticism, or age.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• athleticisms
  plural

Etymology

Origin of athleticism

athletic ( def. ) + -ism ( def. )

Explanation

Athleticism is the quality of having the kind of strength and energy that makes a great athlete. It takes athleticism to run marathons, play pro football, or sprint down a cobblestone street in high heels without falling. Athleticism might get you a basketball scholarship to college or help you win most of the tennis matches you play. When you're particularly good at a sport, people will praise your athleticism. Although it’s usually used with sports, athleticism can describe any quality of strength and energy. It takes musical athleticism to play Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit on piano. The word is rooted in the Greek athlētēs, "prizefighter or contestant in the games."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

athleticism athleticisms

Despite his 5-foot-10 frame, his elite athleticism for the quarterback position made him look like a budding star.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

When World War II hit, Flynn tried to join but was deemed 4F, or unfit for service; despite his on-screen athleticism, he had tuberculosis and a bad heart.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

Defensively, his athleticism allows him to cover for the relative lack of physicality in his potential midfield partners at United who suit playing in small spaces.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

Once again, his athleticism comes through, riding a wave and showing his agility.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

I tripped over a rock and fell—I wasn’t just slower than Hassan but clumsier too; I’d always envied his natural athleticism.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini

“We’re very grounded. And adding a little Fred Astaire class on top of the gritty athleticisms, to combine it with the complete opposite, is confusing to the eye and that’s what makes it interesting.”

From Washington Post ● May 26, 2015

If the climate of England is as little favorable to a strenuous intellectual life as it is to strenuous athleticisms, the climate of Oxford is the climate of England to the nth power.

From An American at Oxford by John Corbin