Reading Theme:
Athlete: Definition, Usage & Common Examples
Meaning 1：sportsman (athlete)
athlete
/ˈæθliːt/
n.
A person who is trained in or good at sports, especially someone who competes in games or races.
sportsman
➕
/ˈspɔːtsmən/
n.
A person who participates in physical sports, exercises, or games, often with skill and regular training.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Greek 'athlētēs', meaning contestant, from 'athlein' (to contend for a prize).
💡 Mnemonic
ATHLETE sounds like ‘ATH-letics’ + ‘-lete’ as in ‘compETE’. Someone who competes in athletics.
📖 Example
My cousin is a dedicated athlete who wakes up at 5 AM every day to practice for her swimming competitions.
My cousin is a dedicated sportsman who wakes up at 5 AM every day to practice for her swimming competitions.
🔗 Collocations
professional athlete – a person who earns a living by participating in sports
Olympic athlete – a competitor who represents their country in the Olympic Games
student-athlete – a student who also plays a sport for their school or college
🔄 Synonyms
sportsman (n.) – a man who takes part in sports, especially of a particular type
competitor (n.) – a person who takes part in a contest or competition
player (n.) – a person taking part in a sport or game
🚫 Antonyms
non-athlete (n.) – a person who is not an athlete or does not participate in sports
🌱 Derivatives
athletic (adj.) – physically strong, fit, and active; relating to athletes or athletics
📖 Cultural Story
The word originates from ancient Greek, where 'athlētēs' denoted a competitor in the games. It entered English via Latin 'athleta'. Today, it's closely associated with the modern Olympic Games and professional sports leagues.
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser