Synonyms for

Athlete

Verb / ˈæˌθli:t / Another word for athlete — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

An athlete is a person who is skilled in sports and other physical activities.

Synonyms & similar words

jock sportsman player competitor champion contender jock runner sportsperson performer professional racer pro star challenger ace ballplayer athlete gymnast cyclist swimmer

Synonyms by register

Formal

competitor protagonist champion

Informal

jock sportsperson player

Literary

Olympian gladiator

Antonyms

couch potato sedentary person loafer sluggard non-athlete

Common collocations

  • professional athlete
  • amateur athlete
  • track and field athlete
  • student athlete
  • star athlete
  • elite athlete
  • young athlete

Word family

noun athlete
adjective athletic

Usage note

While 'athlete' often implies a professional or highly skilled participant, it can also refer to anyone who engages in sports or physical exercise.

Example sentences

  1. The athlete ran so fast that he broke the world record.
  2. My sister is an athlete and she loves to play soccer.
  3. The school's best athlete won the championship in basketball.
  4. An athlete needs to have a healthy diet to stay in shape for competitions.
  5. The coach trained the athlete to improve his skills.

Quotes

  • An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head. - Emil Zatopek
  • Gold medals aren't really made of gold. They're made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts. - Dan Gable
  • I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. - Michael Jordan

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