aerobic

1 antonym for aerobic — opposites grouped by meaning.

Adjective — Describing exercise that raises the heart rate and breathing for a sustained period, using oxygen to supply energy to the muscles.

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adjective

Describing exercise that raises the heart rate and breathing for a sustained period, using oxygen to supply energy to the muscles.

“Thirty minutes of aerobic exercise five times a week is the usual recommendation.”

cardiovascular cardio endurance aerophilous aerophilic

Opposites

anaerobic

2. adjective technical

Needing oxygen in order to live or to work, used of organisms and biological processes.

“Aerobic bacteria die off quickly once the tank is sealed.”

Opposites

anaerobic

Antonyms

anaerobic

How to use aerobic

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

aerobic exercise aerobic capacity aerobic respiration aerobic bacteria aerobic fitness

Neutral. Everyday in fitness contexts, technical in biology.

Etymology

From Greek aēr 'air' + bios 'life', with the adjective ending -ic.

Full origin of aerobic →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise?

Aerobic exercise is moderate and sustained, so the body has time to burn fuel with oxygen — jogging, cycling, swimming. Anaerobic exercise is short and intense, so the muscles work faster than oxygen can be delivered — sprinting, heavy lifting. Aerobic builds endurance; anaerobic builds power and strength.

Is walking aerobic exercise?

Brisk walking is, provided it lifts your heart rate and you keep going for a stretch of time. A slow stroll to the shops usually is not, because the effort never rises enough to challenge the heart and lungs.

What is the difference between aerobic and cardio?

In everyday gym use they mean the same thing. Aerobic is the physiological term, describing exercise fuelled with oxygen; cardio is the informal shorthand, named after the effect on the heart.

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endurance cardiovascular cardio anaerobic

Nearby words

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