English Lexicon

Athlete

/ˈæθ.liːt/
nounCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #2500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A person who is proficient in sports and other forms of physical exercise.

    "The athlete trained rigorously for the upcoming marathon."
  2. 2

    A person who competes in a sport, especially at a professional level.

    "The young athlete was scouted by several colleges for her impressive performance."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek word 'athletes' (a contestant in the games), coming from 'athlos' meaning 'contest' or 'feat'. Entering Middle English in the late 16th century, the term originally referred broadly to anyone engaging in physical contests of strength or speed before narrowing to modern professional and competitive sports practitioners.

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