activewear

noun

ac·​tive·​wear ˈak-tiv-ˌwer 

: athletic clothing especially when used for both exercise and casual wear

Is activewear just for the gym? Hit the streets in almost any city and you'll immediately get your answer: a resounding, no. Whenever we're out we see girls shopping in yoga clothes, or mixing sweats into their day-to-day looks.

—Christina Holevas

also : athleisure

Whether for running laps, running errands, serving on the court or serving chic style, these breathable activewear dresses prove that performance and style go hand in hand.

—Layne Van Vranken

Examples of activewear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company faces challenges in adapting to local markets while broadening its offerings beyond activewear to an active lifestyle brand. — Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Featuring bold, geometric lines and an open-back cut, this style stands out from standard activewear basics. — Mariette Williams, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

Basic tees, sweaters, activewear, and jeans are among its standout staples. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 10 Aug. 2026

The activewear brand released its $248 Big-A-- Bag earlier this month. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

active entry 1 + -wear (as in sportswear, underwear)

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for activewear

• concessionaire
• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare

Kids Definition

activewear

noun

ac·​tive·​wear ˈak-tiv-ˌwa(ə)r 

-ˌwe(ə)r

: sportswear