athletic

[ ath-let-ik ]

adjective

1. physically active and strong; good at athletics or sports:

   an athletic child.

2. of, like, or befitting an athlete.
3. of or relating to athletes; involving the use of physical skills or capabilities, as strength, agility, or stamina: athletic training.

   athletic sports;

   athletic training.

4. for athletics:

   an athletic field.

5. Psychology. (of a physical type) having a sturdy build or well-proportioned body structure. Compare asthenic ( def 2 ), pyknic ( def 1 ).

athletic

/ æθˈlɛtɪk /

adjective

1. physically fit or strong; muscular or active
2. of, relating to, or suitable for an athlete or for athletics
3. See somatotype
   of or relating to a person with a muscular and well-proportioned body See also somatotype

Pronunciation Note

See athlete.

Derived Forms

• athˈletically, adverb
• athˈleticism, noun

Other Words From

• ath·let·i·cal·ly adverb
• ath·let·i·cism [ath-, let, -, uh, -siz-, uh, m], noun
• non·ath·let·ic adjective
• non·ath·let·i·cal·ly adverb
• qua·si-ath·let·ic adjective
• qua·si-ath·let·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·ath·let·ic adjective
• un·ath·let·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of athletic¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin āthlēticus, from Greek āthlētikós; athlete, -ic

Example Sentences

On the 5½-hour bus ride back to campus, he phoned his athletic director to convey the same news and to ask for a meeting in the morning, which was Super Bowl Sunday.

From Washington Post

In an ideal world, I’d find someone who is honest, driven, and athletic.

From Washington Blade

Keller’s athletic fame, 6-foot-6 stature and his decision to wear a Team USA jacket inside the Capitol aided investigators and distinguished him amid the mob that stormed the building.

From Washington Post

The Ivy League is the only Division I conference that has yet to hold an athletic competition this academic year.

From Washington Post

Their tough leather, light synthetic insulation, and thick neoprene cuffs make the Fall Line perfect for protecting my hands from the elements without being too warm for athletic movement.

From Outside Online

With all due respect to his athletic skill, Gronkowski is not high on the list of NFL players that elicit carnal thoughts.

From The Daily Beast

He is an immensely talented quarterback who has dedicated his entire life to athletic excellence and discipline.

From The Daily Beast

The athletic community was putting pressure on him to say that he was pro-Olympics and pro-athletes.

From The Daily Beast

Horace was athletic and clever, known, probably apocryphally, as the fastest cotton picker in Clay County.

From The Daily Beast

I noticed, with Newsies and with this especially, that dancing on Broadway has become so much more athletic than it used to be.

From The Daily Beast

At first the dozen or more girls had practiced on their athletic field, which was now snow-covered, too.

From Project Gutenberg

They even called on Jess Morse by name, and hitched that name to the battle cry of their athletic field.

From Project Gutenberg

His clothes fitted him well, and displayed to advantage a figure which, although short, was well made and athletic.

From Project Gutenberg

His leaning position brought out the breadth of his shoulders and emphasized the athletic lines of his figure.

From Project Gutenberg

For once in her life, Gale was thoroughly glad for her athletic training and gymnastic ability.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• active
• energetic
• muscular
• powerful
• robust
• strong
• vigorous