athletic

adjective

ath·​let·​ic ath-ˈle-tik How to pronounce athletic (audio)
nonstandard
ˌa-thə-ˈle- How to pronounce athletic (audio)
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
athletically 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.
Bohn resigned in May 2023, a day after The Times asked him and USC about internal criticism of his management of the athletic department. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 The company works with more than 100 sports teams of various sizes, including some of the world’s most prominent—Manchester United, Alabama’s football team, USA Softball and the University of Southern California athletic department. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 10 Jan. 2025 But Hayes was unaware of her athletic capabilities. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025 The investment firm upgraded shares of the athletic footwear and clothing retailer to overweight from neutral. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near athletic

Cite this Entry

“Athletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athletic. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

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
3
athletically 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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