ENGLISH
REFERENCE

olympian

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //oʊˈɫɪmpiən// olympian Archaic

n. an athlete who competes in the Olympic Games. You use this to describe someone who has reached the highest level of international sports competition.

n. a competitor in the Olympic Games. In classical contexts, refers to one of the twelve major deities of the Greek pantheon who resided on Mount Olympus.


SIMPLE

The retired Olympian now coaches young swimmers at the local pool.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of intense training and local victories, she finally achieved her dream of becoming an Olympian in the marathon.

COMPLEX

The documentary explores the immense psychological pressure placed on every Olympian, highlighting how the four-year wait for a single race can define an entire career.

Synonyms
Usage

When referring to the Greek gods or the specific sporting title, it is typically capitalised.

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