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 analysis gives every product listing equal weight and does not separately assess whether polyester is virgin or recycled—limitations that complicate comparisons among fast-fashion, activewear and outdoor brands. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

O’Neill has to reposition the brand to appeal to younger shoppers who have shifted their spending to Alo for yoga clothes or FP Movement and Vuori for activewear and continue to dial back discounts. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Deals from Uniqlo, Carhartt, Nike, Faherty, Wrangler, and more all make appearances, with incredible savings on everything from activewear to stylish coats ready to come home with you. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Activewear After sweating it out in your beloved activewear, avoid using the hotter temperatures in the washing machine to sanitize and remove unpleasant odors. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 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