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

Styles checks every box in the type of player the Commanders covet — tough, versatile, athletic, smart — and gives them a young player to build around for years to come. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

In this scenario, the Rams get the flip-side of that with one of the more athletic linemen in the entire draft. —Nick Harris april 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026

These athletes want to stick around college to continue their athletic development and potentially capitalize on NIL and revenue-sharing opportunities that, in some instances, are worth millions of dollars. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Apr. 2026

The spring playoff season, the busiest time on the GHSA athletic calendar each academic year, gets under way this week when playoffs begin in three sports and team champions will be crowned in three others. —Chip Saye, AJC.com, 20 Apr. 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