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

Furthermore, extreme pay disparities exist, from low-wage support staff to multi-million dollar executive and athletic salaries, often tracking scale over prestige. — Scott White, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

But in the Colorado case that athletic departments across the country are closely watching, the plaintiffs have not been granted an additional portal window. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

There are rules in place to limit recruiting, school shopping and athletes being replaced due to transfers for athletic purposes, according to TAPPS. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026

Edgewater coach Patrick Browning and athletic director Nick Tomcykosi also did not respond to an email or text. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 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