athletic

adjective

ath·​let·​ic ath-ˈle-tik How to pronounce athletic (audio)
nonstandard
ˌa-thə-ˈle- How to pronounce athletic (audio)
Synonyms of athletic
1
: of or relating to athletes or athletics
an athletic scholarship
athletic teams
athletic events
2
a
: characteristic of an athlete
athletic talent
a strong, athletic build
b
: vigorous, active
an athletic lifestyle
c
: active or gifted in sports, games, or exercises
He's not very athletic.
3
: used by athletes
athletic shoes/equipment
the school's athletic fields
4
: mesomorphic
athletically
ath-ˈle-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce athletic (audio)
adverb

Examples of athletic in a Sentence

They each received an athletic scholarship to the school. Students can get discount tickets for all athletic events. His athletic career spanned three decades. She has great athletic ability. She's tall and has an athletic build.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to Deadline, Henry grew older and developed some athletic skills that required recasting. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 One of the driving factors for the merger was scheduling, which was difficult for athletic directors because every team was trying to secure the five wins necessary to qualify for the playoffs. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 State university officials want Congress to pass an antitrust exemption for the NCAA to establish a salary cap, along with transfer and eligibility regulations on student athletic programs. — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 Crump has also rejected notions from law enforcement officials that Wells may have drowned, citing the teenager’s ability to swim well and his athletic past. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for athletic

Word History

Etymology

see athlete

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of athletic was in 1585

Phrases Containing athletic

Rhymes for athletic

See All Rhymes for athletic

Browse Nearby Words

athlete's heart
athletic
athleticism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Athletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athletic. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

athletic

adjective
ath·​let·​ic ath-ˈlet-ik How to pronounce athletic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of athletes or athletics
2
: vigorous sense 1, active
3
: strong sense 1, muscular
athletically
-ˈlet-i-k(ə)lē How to pronounce athletic (audio)
adverb
athleticism
ath-ˈlet-ə-ˌsi-zəm
noun

Medical Definition

athletic

adjective
ath·​let·​ic ath-ˈlet-ik How to pronounce athletic (audio)
: characterized by heavy frame, large chest, and powerful muscular development : mesomorphic

More from Merriam-Webster on athletic

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for athletic

Nglish: Translation of athletic for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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