athleticism

English

Etymology

Etymology tree

Proto-Indo-European *h₂weh₁-der.

Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr

Proto-Indo-European *-tromder.

Ancient Greek ἆθλον (âthlon)

Ancient Greek ᾱ̓θλέω (āthléō)

Proto-Hellenic *-tās

Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs)

Ancient Greek ἀθλητής (athlētḗs)

Proto-Indo-European *-kos

Proto-Hellenic *-kos

Ancient Greek -κός (-kós)

Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós)

Ancient Greek ᾱ̓θλητῐκός (āthlētĭkós)bor.

Latin āthlēticuslbor.

Middle French athletiquebor.

English athletic

Proto-Indo-European *-id-

Proto-Indo-European *-yéti

Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti

Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō

Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)

Proto-Indo-European *-mos

Proto-Indo-European *-mós

Ancient Greek -μός (-mós)

Ancient Greek -ισμός (-ismós)der.

English -ism

English athleticism

From athletic + -ism.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /æθˈlɛtɪsɪzəm/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Audio (US, General American):

  (file)

Noun

athleticism (countable and uncountable, plural athleticisms)

1. The state of being an athlete, or of taking part in athletic events.
   • 2008 June 9, Alastair Macaulay, “In Student Steps and Leaps, a Survey of National Styles”, in The New York Times‎^[1], archived from the original on 28 January 2025:

     It catches an American athleticism and energetic team spirit that still seem to smash European notions of ballet classicism, as does its dancers’ selfless manner and their practicelike costumes.

2. A show of athletic prowess.
   • 2025 June 8, Jonathan Jurejko, “Alcaraz stuns Sinner in extraordinary French Open final”, in BBC‎^[2]:

     Both Alcaraz and Sinner pushed themselves - and each other - to the limit in a classic contest that showcased all of their shot-making, athleticism and resilience.

Translations

athletic prowess/state of being an athlete

• Ukrainian: атлети́зм m (atletýzm)