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 latter section, dedicated to outdoor activities and activewear, will be again curated in partnership with specialist magazine Vanish. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026

This style blends activewear performance with a classic crewneck design. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2026

Yet as influence continues to disseminate across different channels and actors, the question isn’t which brand-mega-influencer match-up will win the activewear influencer race, but how much weight these big names carry at this point in time. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Lastly, don’t sleep on FP Movement, which carries so many stylish activewear and athleisure pieces. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 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