athlete
ATH-leet
Athlete (noun) means a person who competes in sports, especially one who trains and performs at a high level. Example: “The young athlete woke at dawn every day to run along the beach.”
noun
1
A person who competes in sports, especially one who trains and performs at a high level.
"The young athlete woke at dawn every day to run along the beach."
"The stadium was full of athletes preparing for the marathon."
"She has trained as a professional athlete since she was twelve."
How to use athlete
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who takes part in sports, especially seriously and at a competitive level.
Common pairings
professional athlete
elite athlete
a natural athlete
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Word forms
- Plural
- athletes
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The young _____ woke at dawn every day to run along the beach.
Etymology
From Latin athleta, from Greek athletes ("one who competes for a prize"), from athlon ("prize, contest").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for athlete
See all rhymes for athlete →Frequently asked questions
What does “athlete” mean?
The word “athlete” means a person who competes in sports, especially one who trains and performs at a high level. In plain terms, someone who takes part in sports, especially seriously and at a competitive level.
How do you pronounce “athlete”?
“Athlete” is pronounced ATH-leet (/ˈæθ.lit/ in IPA).
How do you use “athlete” in a sentence?
Here is “athlete” used in a sentence: “The stadium was full of athletes preparing for the marathon.”
What is another word for “athlete”?
Words with a similar meaning to “athlete” include sportsperson, competitor, jock, pro, sportsman and sportswoman.
What is the opposite of “athlete”?
The opposite of “athlete” — its antonyms — is nonathlete.
What part of speech is “athlete”?
“Athlete” is a noun.
Where does the word “athlete” come from?
The word “athlete” comes from Latin. From Latin athleta, from Greek athletes ("one who competes for a prize"), from athlon ("prize, contest").
Is “athlete” a common word?
“Athlete” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between an "athlete" and a "sportsperson"?
Both refer to someone who competes in sport, but "athlete" stresses physical training and high-level performance, and in American English can specifically mean a track-and-field competitor. "Sportsperson" is a broader, gender-neutral term more common in British English.
Is "athlete" gender-specific?
No. "Athlete" applies to competitors of any gender, unlike older terms such as "sportsman" or "sportswoman." It is widely preferred today as a neutral choice.
What is the adjective form of "athlete"?
The related adjective is "athletic," meaning physically fit and strong or relating to sport, and the abstract noun is "athleticism." So an athlete is described as athletic and admired for their athleticism.
What are common collocations with "athlete"?
Frequent pairings include "professional athlete," "elite athlete," "student athlete," and "world-class athlete."
