athletic
adjective
ath·let·ic
ath-ˈle-tik 
nonstandard
ˌa-thə-ˈle-
2
3
: used by athletes
athletic shoes/equipment
the school's athletic fields
4
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
Hašek is athletic royalty in the small, hockey-loving country in central Europe.
—
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Jones is an active, athletic linebacker in the center of the Seattle defense who’s often asked to drop back into coverage.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
In short, pairs is way more athletic.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Skolnick, 41, who has had a long career as an athletic administrator, played a key role in Delaware’s move to FBS football.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for athletic
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Jesse Granger, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Jones is an active, athletic linebacker in the center of the Seattle defense who’s often asked to drop back into coverage.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
In short, pairs is way more athletic.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Skolnick, 41, who has had a long career as an athletic administrator, played a key role in Delaware’s move to FBS football.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for athletic
Cite this Entry
“Athletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athletic. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
athletic
adjective
ath·let·ic
ath-ˈlet-ik
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of athletes or athletics
2
3
athleticism
noun
ath-ˈlet-ə-ˌsi-zəm
Medical Definition
athletic
adjective
ath·let·ic
ath-ˈlet-ik
: characterized by heavy frame, large chest, and powerful muscular development : mesomorphic
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