# athletic

/æθˈɫɛtɪk/ (US) · /æθlˈɛtɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/athletic
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. physically fit and strong

adjective · CEFR A2

strong, fit, and good at sports.

For teachers: physically active and possessing the skills or strength required for sports.

- She has always been very athletic and enjoys running marathons.
- The coach looked for athletic students who demonstrated both natural stamina and a disciplined approach to daily training.

### 2. muscular body type

adjective · CEFR B1

having a strong, well-developed body.

For teachers: possessing a muscular, well-proportioned, and physically powerful physique.

- He has an athletic build because he spends a lot of time at the gym.
- Her athletic frame was perfectly suited for competitive swimming, providing the necessary power for explosive starts and turns.

### 3. relating to athletes

adjective · CEFR B1

connected to athletes or organized sports.

For teachers: pertaining to athletes or the practice of sports and physical games.

- The university offers several athletic scholarships to talented young players.
- The department manages all athletic facilities, ensuring that the tracks and courts meet international competition standards.

## Examples

- She is very athletic and plays three different sports.
- The coach is looking for athletic students who can run fast and jump high for the track team.
- While he lacked formal training in dance, his naturally athletic build and coordination allowed him to master the difficult choreography with surprising ease.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.