athletic
adjective
ath·let·ic
ath-ˈle-tik 
nonstandard
ˌa-thə-ˈle-
2
3
: used by athletes
athletic shoes/equipment
the school's athletic fields
4
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
People still are prohibited from carrying guns — openly or concealed — in certain areas, including schools and university campuses; professional athletic events not related to firearms; hospitals; police stations; courts and polling places.
—
Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
The pretty playmakers, particularly those deep in midfield, would be overpowered by athletic destroyers and box-to-box runners.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
For the fourth straight game and fifth time this season, the Horned Frogs had to deal with a dual-threat quarterback, and Kansas State’s Avery Johnson was among the most athletic the defense has faced this season.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
The contrasting stripes along the full-zip jacket and wide-leg pants gives the set an athletic touch, while the relaxed fit helps keep you comfortable through long flights.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for athletic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
The pretty playmakers, particularly those deep in midfield, would be overpowered by athletic destroyers and box-to-box runners.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
For the fourth straight game and fifth time this season, the Horned Frogs had to deal with a dual-threat quarterback, and Kansas State’s Avery Johnson was among the most athletic the defense has faced this season.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2025
The contrasting stripes along the full-zip jacket and wide-leg pants gives the set an athletic touch, while the relaxed fit helps keep you comfortable through long flights.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for athletic
Cite this Entry
“Athletic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athletic. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
athletic
adjective
ath·let·ic
ath-ˈlet-ik
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of athletes or athletics
2
3
athleticism
noun
ath-ˈlet-ə-ˌsi-zəm
Medical Definition
athletic
adjective
ath·let·ic
ath-ˈlet-ik
: characterized by heavy frame, large chest, and powerful muscular development : mesomorphic
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share