fitness
FIHT-nuhs
Fitness (noun) means the condition of being physically healthy and strong, usually through exercise. Example: “Regular running has really improved his fitness.”
noun
1
The condition of being physically healthy and strong, usually through exercise.
"Regular running has really improved his fitness."
"The gym offers a range of fitness classes."
"Swimming twice a week keeps my fitness at a good level without much effort."
2
The quality of being suitable or appropriate for something.
"The interview assessed her fitness for the role."
"The committee questioned the fitness of the old bridge for heavy lorries."
"Her fitness to teach young children was never in doubt at the school."
3
(biology) A measure of an organism's success at surviving and reproducing.
"Traits that increase fitness tend to spread through a population over generations."
"A thicker coat of fur gave the rabbits a higher fitness in the cold climate."
"Scientists measured the fitness of each beetle by counting how many offspring survived."
How to use fitness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing physically healthy and capable, or more broadly, being suited to a purpose.
Common pairings
physical fitness
fitness level
fitness for purpose
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Word forms
- Plural
- fitnesses
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Regular running has really improved his _____.
Etymology
From "fit" plus "-ness"; the physical exercise sense only became common in the 20th century.
Class of 1900
fitness joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fitness
See all rhymes for fitness →Frequently asked questions
What does “fitness” mean?
The word “fitness” means the condition of being physically healthy and strong, usually through exercise. In plain terms, being physically healthy and capable, or more broadly, being suited to a purpose.
How do you pronounce “fitness”?
“Fitness” is pronounced FIHT-nuhs (/ˈfɪt.nəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “fitness” in a sentence?
Here is “fitness” used in a sentence: “Regular running has really improved his fitness.”
What part of speech is “fitness”?
“Fitness” is a noun.
Where does the word “fitness” come from?
The word “fitness” dates back to around 1900. From "fit" plus "-ness"; the physical exercise sense only became common in the 20th century.
Is “fitness” a common word?
“Fitness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “fitness” have?
“Fitness” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the condition of being physically healthy and strong, usually through exercise.
What is the difference between fitness and health?
Health is the broad state of a person's physical and mental wellbeing. Fitness is narrower: the condition of being physically strong and capable, usually built through exercise, so a person can be generally healthy without being especially fit.
Do you say fitness for or fitness to?
Use fitness for before a noun, as in fitness for work or fitness for purpose. Use fitness to before a verb, as in fitness to drive or fitness to stand trial.
What is the difference between fitness and exercise?
Exercise is the activity itself: running, lifting weights, swimming, and so on. Fitness is the resulting condition of being physically healthy and strong, so people do exercise in order to build or maintain fitness.
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