athleisure

noun

ath·​lei·​sure ˈath-ˌlē-zhər 

-ˌle-, 

-ˌlā-

nonstandard ˈa-thə-

: casual clothing designed to be worn both for exercising and for general use

Of course, athleisure has lately become a fashion buzzword, a term intended to embrace the kind of clothing that a woman might be able to wear at work, to the gym, and then to dinner.

—Rob Haskell

—often used before another noun

Athleisure gear has reportedly unseated denim as the go-to clothing item of choice for teens.

—Nedra Rhone

Examples of athleisure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Two new activewear and athleisure shops are scheduled to open fairly soon in downtown Naperville, along with at least one new fitness business. —Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

Long before the term athleisure was coined, Diana became known for her signature sweatshirt and bike shorts look. —Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026

Communities with futuristic dispensaries and start-up athleisure. —Xuan Juliana Wang, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

There was a gap in the market for athleisure that was functional but still cute, because most options at the time leaned very technical. —Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

blend of athlete and leisure

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for athleisure

• displeasure
• countermeasure
• leisure
• measure
• pleasure
• treasure

Kids Definition

athleisure

noun

ath·​lei·​sure ˈath-ˌlē-zhər 

-ˌle-, 

-ˌlā-

: casual clothing designed to be worn both for exercising and for general use