gymnastic

1 of 2

adjective

gym·​nas·​tic jim-ˈna-stik 

: of or relating to gymnastics : athletic

gymnastically

jim-ˈna-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

gymnastic

2 of 2

noun

1

gymnastics jim-ˈna-stiks  plural in form but singular in construction

a

: physical exercises designed to develop strength and coordination

b

: a competitive sport in which individuals perform optional and prescribed acrobatic feats mostly on special apparatus in order to demonstrate strength, balance, and body control

2

: an exercise in intellectual or artistic dexterity

My earlier philosophic study had been an intellectual gymnastic.

—John Dewey

mental gymnastics

3

: a physical feat or contortion

… did not lend itself to the gymnastics of break dancing.

—Tony Karon

Examples of gymnastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Talented dancers from Ukraine performed gymnastic and acrobatic-style jaw-dropper moves. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026

One of rock’s greatest singers, Plant lost his gymnastic voice years ago. —Thor Christensen, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026

Noun

Keno left his mark in the local gymnastics community through his innovation in children’s gymnastics programs at Blue Valley Recreation. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026

During this current academic year, Stanford's women's cross country and soccer teams had already come up just short before the men's gymnastics team won Saturday night in Champaign, Illinois, and extended the remarkable run to a half-century. —ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1574, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for gymnastic

• aplastic
• bombastic
• dynastic
• dysplastic
• elastic
• fantastic
• monastic
• sarcastic
• scholastic
• silastic
• stochastic
• aeroelastic