Definition

1. Noun:
   • An athletic supporter: A protective garment worn by males to support the genitals during sports or strenuous physical activity.
   • An athlete: (Informal, chiefly North American) A person who is trained in or good at sports, especially one who is muscular and dedicated to athletics. This term often carries connotations of a stereotypical, sports-focused personality.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Athletic supporter):

  • He made sure to wear his jock before the football game.
  • The equipment list required a cup and jock for protection.

• Noun (Athlete):

  • He was a total jock in high school, playing three varsity sports.
  • The party was full of jocks from the university's football team.

Advanced Usage

• "Jock itch": (Noun, Informal) A common fungal infection (tinea cruris) of the groin area, often associated with athletes due to sweat and friction.

  • After his workout, he showered immediately to avoid getting jock itch.

• "Jock strap": (Noun) Another term for an athletic supporter.

  • He bought a new jock strap for the wrestling season.

Variants and Related Words

• Jockey (noun): A professional rider in horse races. While "jock" is a clipped form of "jockey," their common meanings are distinct in modern usage.
• Jockish (adjective, informal): Resembling or characteristic of a stereotypical athlete.
  • His jockish attitude sometimes annoyed his more artistic friends.

Synonyms

• Athletic supporter: (for the garment) Cup, supporter.
• Athlete: (for the person) Sportsman, sportswoman, letterman (in a school context), muscleman (informal).

Related Phrases

• "All brawn and no brains": (Idiom) A stereotype sometimes unfairly associated with the term "jock," implying physical strength but lack of intelligence.

  • He was tired of people assuming he was all brawn and no brains just because he was a jock.

• "Jock culture": (Noun phrase) The social environment, attitudes, and behaviors often associated with a group of dedicated athletes, particularly in a school or university setting.

  • The film explored the pressures of jock culture in an American high school.

Noun

1. a support for the genitals worn by men engaging in strenuous exercise
2. a person trained to compete in sports