athletic

[ ath-let-ik ]
See synonyms for athletic on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. physically active and strong; good at athletics or sports: an athletic child.

  2. of, like, or befitting an athlete.

  1. of or relating to athletes; involving the use of physical skills or capabilities, as strength, agility, or stamina: athletic sports;athletic training.

  2. for athletics: an athletic field.

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

Origin of athletic

1
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin āthlēticus, from Greek āthlētikós; see athlete, -ic

pronunciation note For athletic

See athlete.

Other words from athletic

  • ath·let·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • ath·let·i·cism [ath-let-uh-siz-uhm], /æθˈlɛt əˌsɪz əm/, 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

Words Nearby athletic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use athletic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for athletic

athletic

/ (æθˈlɛtɪk) /


adjective
  1. physically fit or strong; muscular or active

  2. of, relating to, or suitable for an athlete or for athletics

  1. of or relating to a person with a muscular and well-proportioned body: See also somatotype

Derived forms of athletic

  • athletically, adverb
  • athleticism, 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