athlete

[ath-leet] /ˈæθ lit/

noun

a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.

Origin

1520-30; < Latin āthlēta < Greek āthlētḗs, equivalent to āthlē- (variant stem of āthleîn to contend for a prize, derivative of âthlos a contest) + -tēs suffix of agency

Related forms

nonathlete, noun

superathlete, noun

Pronunciation note

Athlete, athletic, and athletics, normally pronounced

[ath-leet] /ˈæθ lit/ (Show IPA)

[ath-let-ik] /æθˈlɛt ɪk/ and

[ath-let-iks] /æθˈlɛt ɪks/ are heard frequently with an epenthetic schwa, an intrusive unstressed vowel inserted between the first and second syllables:

[ath-uh-leet] /ˈæθ əˌlit/

[ath-uh-let-ik] /ˌæθ əˈlɛt ɪk/ and

[ath-uh-let-iks] /ˌæθ əˈlɛt ɪks/ . The pronunciations containing the extra syllable are usually considered nonstandard, in spite of their widespread use on radio and television. Pronunciations with similarly intrusive vowels are also heard, though with less currency, for other words, as

[fil-uh m] /ˈfɪl əm/ for film,

[el-uh m] /ˈɛl əm/ for elm, and

[ahr-thuh-rahy-tis] /ˌɑr θəˈraɪ tɪs/ for arthritis, rather than the standard

[film] /fɪlm/

[elm] /ɛlm/ and

[ahr-thrahy-tis] /ɑrˈθraɪ tɪs/ .

Examples from the web for athlete

Our ultra light sports pack for the quick footed athlete.
In the seventies, the pro athlete started to truly become empowered, as television embraced sports as a viable revenue stream.
These methods are not only an inefficient way for an athlete to cool down, but they can actually be quite dangerous.
At some universities, endowment per athlete exceeds over-all endowment per student.
But in the past decade, the labour market has resembled an ageing athlete.
High-tech machines showed how the air moved around the athlete.
Genetic makeup isn't the only thing that produces an elite athlete.
The suspension would be in effect for as long as the injured athlete is unable to play as a consequence of that injury.
All you need is an athlete chewing candy operating a treadmill powered generator.
For the athlete who wants an all-in-one device, this wrist-top racer is it.

British Dictionary definitions for athlete

athlete

/ˈæθliːt/

noun

a person trained to compete in sports or exercises involving physical strength, speed, or endurance

a person who has a natural aptitude for physical activities

(mainly Brit) a competitor in track and field events

Word Origin

C18: from Latin via Greek athlētēs, from athlein to compete for a prize, from athlos a contest

Word Origin and History for athlete

early 15c., from Latin athleta "a wrestler, athlete, combatant in public games," from Greek athletes "prizefighter, contestant in the games," agent noun from athlein "to contest for a prize," related to athlos "a contest" and athlon "a prize," of unknown origin. Before 1750, usually in Latin form. In this sense, Old English had plegmann "play-man." Athlete's foot first recorded 1928, for an ailment that has been around much longer.