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

Godso, who previously served as the lead Nike Global Trainer for 13 years, is the latest figure to front one of the contemporary clothing and athletic apparel brand’s campaigns. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 July 2026

Brands are no longer investing solely in athletic performance. — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

The mother-son duo embraced in the driveway of a home in front of a big field; Aaron wore a casual black T-shirt, blue athletic shorts, a baseball cap, and brown flip flips, while his mom paired a sleeveless blue blouse with baggy patterned pants. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 22 July 2026

Manuel, a former defensive lineman at Michigan, was a link to the Bo Schembechler era and a throwback to a time when athletic directors were more like ex-coaches than highly polished corporate executives. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 21 July 2026

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