athletic

adjective

ath·​let·​ic ath-ˈle-tik 

nonstandard

ˌa-thə-ˈle- 

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 

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

But her athletic triumph was tragically dampened by years of abuse at the hands of her husband and coach Jim Martin, who in 2010 attempted to murder her, stabbing her many times, slicing the flesh off the bone from her leg, and shooting her. —Esther Zuckerman, Time, 6 Sep. 2025

On social media, Marquette announced that all athletic events for the weekend would be canceled, and a special mass for the school community was held on Saturday afternoon. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025

Gunn was found wearing black Adidas jogging pants, grey socks and black Adidas athletic shoes, according to the statement. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025

The Jayhawks’ offensive line struggled to create holes against Mizzou’s athletic defensive front. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see athlete

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing athletic

• athletic supporter
• athletic trainer

Rhymes for athletic

• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• cosmetic
• diegetic
• eidetic
• emetic
• esthetic
• frenetic
• genetic
• helvetic
• hermetic

Kids Definition

athletic

adjective

ath·​let·​ic ath-ˈlet-ik 

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 

adverb

athleticism

ath-ˈlet-ə-ˌsi-zəm

noun

Medical Definition

athletic

adjective

ath·​let·​ic ath-ˈlet-ik 

: characterized by heavy frame, large chest, and powerful muscular development : mesomorphic