athletic
/aθˈlɛtɪk
/adjective
1Physically strong, fit, and active: big, muscular, athletic boys...
- He was a short man, less than five feet tall, but in his young days he was physically strong and athletic.
- Their gracefulness and expressiveness hid the fact that they were also very athletic and strong.
- They're athletic, quick, strong, aggressive guys and they're always improving.
Synonyms
muscular, muscly, sturdy, strapping, well built, powerfully built, strong, powerful, robust, able-bodied, vigorous, hardy, lusty, hearty, hale and hearty, brawny, burly, broad-shouldered, thickset, Herculean;
fit, fighting fit, as fit as a fiddle, as fit as a flea, in good shape, in good trim, in trim, in tip-top condition, aerobicized, healthy, in good health, bursting with health, in fine fettle, as strong as an ox, as strong as a horse, as strong as a lion;
British in rude health
informal sporty, husky, hunky, beefy, ripped, shredded
North American informal buff
US informal jacked
dated stalwart
literary thewy, stark
technical mesomorphic
2 [attributive] British Relating to athletes or athletics: athletic events an athletic club...
- Brian is a member of the Newcastle athletic club and the long jump is his specialist field.
- Sports physiologists know that athletic ability does not deteriorate nearly as rapidly as was once thought.
- Eight years later Tokyo was host to one of the greatest athletic battles in recent history.
Synonyms
sporting, sports, games, gymnastic;
competitive
Derivatives
athletically
/ adverb ...- A decade later and the sport is not only more athletically demanding, but there is clearly a younger breed of competitor more willing to challenge established methods.
- Tyler has applied himself both academically and athletically.
- Phillips has taken up the challenge to develop a higher level of interest among the more athletically inclined students.
Origin
Mid 17th century: from French athlétique or Latin athleticus, from Greek athlētikos, from athlētēs (see athlete).