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.
Between its solid ride quality, athletic power, and surprisingly fun handling dynamics, the 2025 Audi S5 is a solid modern European sports sedan. Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025 But the broader debate—the question of when, exactly, the pursuit of athletic achievement compromises the bulk of the achievement itself—has begun to reverberate far beyond the mountains. Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2025 The brand teams with Cara Delevingne for bags and later in the year, a 35-piece Puma x Balmain athletic collection. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025 Sporty street styles were especially championed in Brooklyn, from the first night of NYFW — when Theophilio showed athletic-esque neon zip-ups and matching sets, like menswear tracksuits, accompanied by Puma sneakers. Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Athletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athletic. Accessed 26 Sep. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on athletic

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