Athlete
/ˈæθ.liːt/noun
A person who is skilled in sports or physical exercise.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek athletic contests, where the same root also gave English words tied to prizes and labor, because ancient competition was never just play.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*at-
“to strive, fight, or contend”
Ancient Greek
Greek
athlos
“a contest or feat, especially one fought for a prize”
Ancient Greek
Greek
athlētēs
“a competitor in games; one who contends for a prize”
Late Latin
Latin
athleta
“a contestant or athlete”
Middle English
English
athlete
“a contestant in contests or games”
Modern English
English
athlete
“a person skilled in sports or physical exercise”
Explore more surprising origins