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noun B1 Intermediate Common

gym

jihm
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Gym (noun) means a place with equipment for exercise and physical training. Example: “She goes to the gym three times a week to lift weights.”

noun
1
A place with equipment for exercise and physical training.
"She goes to the gym three times a week to lift weights."
"The hotel has a small gym on the ground floor."
"After work I swim a few lengths, then head to the gym for an hour."

How to use gym

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA building or room equipped for working out and exercising.

Common pairings
go to the gym gym membership hit the gym
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Word forms

Third person singular
gyms
Past tense
gymed, gymmed
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She goes to the _____ three times a week to lift weights.

Etymology

A shortened form of "gymnasium."

gymnasium fitness centre health club fitness studio workout facility

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “gym” mean?
The word “gym” means a place with equipment for exercise and physical training. In plain terms, a building or room equipped for working out and exercising.
How do you pronounce “gym”?
“Gym” is pronounced jihm (/d͡ʒɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “gym” in a sentence?
Here is “gym” used in a sentence: “She goes to the gym three times a week to lift weights.”
What part of speech is “gym”?
“Gym” is a noun.
Is “gym” a common word?
“Gym” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What does the word 'gym' stand for?
Gym is a shortened form of 'gymnasium,' a word with Greek roots meaning a place for physical exercise and training. Today 'gym' is by far the more common term, used for any facility fitted with equipment for working out, while 'gymnasium' sounds more formal or old-fashioned.
What is the difference between a gym and a fitness centre?
The terms overlap heavily. 'Gym' often suggests a space focused on exercise equipment and weights, while 'fitness centre' or 'health club' may imply a larger venue with extras like classes, a pool, or a sauna. In everyday use, though, people use the words interchangeably.
What are the types of gyms?
Options range from large commercial chains to small independent studios, specialist strength or CrossFit gyms, budget 24-hour venues, and home gyms set up in a spare room or garage. Some focus on classes, others on free weights or machines, so the best fit depends on your goals.

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