English Explanatory Dictionary

athlete

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A participant in any of a group of sporting activities including track and field, road running, cross country running and racewalking.
  2. A person who actively participates in physical sports, especially with great skill; a sportsperson.
  3. An exceptionally physically fit person.

Pronunciation

/ˈæθ.liːt/ /ˈæθ.lit/ /ˈæθ.ə.liːt/ en-us-athlete.ogg

Word forms

athlete athletes

Etymology

From Middle English athlete, from Latin āthlēta (and probably also partly from Middle French athlete), from Ancient Greek ἀθλητής (athlētḗs), from ἀθλέω (athléō, “compete for a prize”), from ἆθλον (âthlon, “prize”) or ἆθλος (âthlos, “competition”).

Synonyms

sportsperson competitor jock pro sportsman sportswoman

Antonyms

nonathlete

Related words

athletic athletics -athlon :Category:Occupations

Derived words

athletehood athlete's foot athleticism athletocracy biathlete cyberathlete decathlete e-athlete ethlete heptathlete mathlete neutral Paralympic athlete nonathlete para-athlete parathlete Spanish athlete student-athlete student athlete superathlete triathlete world's greatest athlete
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