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

The clinic even features a room dedicated to refining gross motor skills, where children can jump on a mini trampoline, dangle from gymnastic rings, play in a ball pit, climb on a small rock wall, swing on a hammock-like swing set, ride a tricycle or knock down small bowling pins. —Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026

Only true love can make a six-time Super Bowl champion coach spend an offseason Saturday dressed like that at an adult gymnastic competitionthat an adult gymnastic competition. —Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Noun

The whole financial gymnastics routine of someone refusing to admit that this isn’t working. —Daren Smith, IndieWire, 13 May 2026

In addition to those allegations against Gardner in Mississippi, there are also claims of misconduct at one of the most revered gyms in competitive gymnastics. —Jake Rosenwasser, CBS News, 11 May 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