athlete

/'æθli:t/

Thân thiện

The athlete runs on the track during a sunny afternoon.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person trained to compete in sports: An individual who possesses the skills, physical conditioning, and training to participate in competitive physical activities or games.

Usage

• The word "athlete" is used to describe a person who participates in sports, often at a professional, collegiate, or highly competitive amateur level. It emphasizes training and competition.
• It is a countable noun (e.g., an athlete, many athletes).

Examples

• Noun:
  • She is a professional athlete who competes in track and field.
  • The university recruits talented athletes for its football program.
  • To become an Olympic athlete requires years of dedication.

Advanced Usage

• "Student-athlete": A person who is enrolled in an educational institution and also participates in organized competitive sports. (Note: This is a compound term listed separately as per instruction).

  • Balancing academics and sports is a challenge for every student-athlete.

• "Athlete's heart": A non-pathological condition where the heart is enlarged and the resting heart rate is lower than average due to long-term, intensive athletic training.

  • The doctor explained that his low pulse was due to an athlete's heart.

Variants and Related Words

• Athletic (adj): Relating to athletes or physically active people; physically strong, fit, and active.

  • He has an athletic build.

• Athletics (n, plural in form but can be singular or plural in use): Physical sports and games of any kind.

  • She excels in athletics.

Synonyms

• Sportsman/Sportswoman: A person who takes part in sports, especially of a particular type. (Often implies a sense of fair play).
• Competitor: A person who takes part in a competition.
• Player: A person who participates in a game or sport. (More specific to team or game contexts).

Idioms

• "Weekend warrior": (Informal) A person who participates in a physically demanding activity, especially a sport, only during weekends or in their spare time. This contrasts with a professional athlete.

  • He's not a pro, just a weekend warrior who plays basketball for fun.

• "Natural athlete": A person who is inherently skilled at sports and physical activities without seeming to require extensive training.

  • She's a natural athlete; she's good at every sport she tries.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a person trained to compete in sports

Từ đồng nghĩa

• jock