Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

athletics

/æθˈlɛtɪks/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.82 in modern English

Syllables: ath-let-ics
IPA: /æθˈlɛtɪks/

14

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A group of sporting activities including track and field, road running, cross country and racewalking.

British usage

noun

Physical activities such as sports and games requiring stamina, fitness and skill.

American usage

noun

plural of athletic

name

The team The Oakland Athletics, previously Kansas City Athletics and Philadelphia Athletics.

name

Nickname for many athletic teams whose full name includes "Athletics".

American usage

Example Sentences

"The University of Phoenix, a for-profit educational institution, has turned the traditional relationship between athletics and higher education on its head, reducing it to its commercially exploitive essence."

Etymology

From athletic: see -ics. Probably formed on the model of gymnastics.

Usage

British usage
American usage

Derived Forms

athleisurewear cyberathletics Mathletics

Phrases

para-athletics

Frequently Paired Words

athleticism

Synonyms

sport athletic contest athletic competition

Rhymes With

genetics cosmetics aesthetics kinetics diabetics poetics prosthetics phonetics synthetics anesthetics diuretics esthetics

Questions

How do you pronounce athletics?: The recorded pronunciation is /æθˈlɛtɪks/.
What does athletics mean?: A group of sporting activities including track and field, road running, cross country and racewalking.
Where does athletics come from?: From athletic: see -ics. Probably formed on the model of gymnastics.

How to pronounce athletics

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “athletics”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/æθˈlɛtɪks/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “athletics”.
Repeat and practice — Say “athletics” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.