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Glite Dictionary
athletic wear

athletic wear

1 2.7
Clothes people wear for sports or exercise and often for comfort
  • noun
  • /æθˈlɛtɪk wɛr/
translation icon : ropa deportiva
  • The store has a wide variety of athletic wear, including leggings and sports bras.
  • get athletic wear

Underwear, athletic wear, bags and accessories do not count either.

Examples

  • She prefers to wear athletic wear when she goes for a morning jog.

  • I have always loved Lululemon's top-notch, fashionable athletic wear.

    Blog text (32)

  • Get Russell athletic wear, get tough.

    Academic text (1997)

  • I think you should just stick to making excellent athletic wear and avoid political references on your shopping bags.

    Blog text (32)

  • Now that I know their corporate philosophy, I'll never buy my athletic wear anywhere else... not to mention tell all of my friends about you.

    Blog text (32)

  • I've always loved your athletic wear, and now I love the values behind the company as well.

    Blog text (32)

  • I own a ton of athletic wear, but this Reebok Pink Ribbon Pant is my new favorite lounge-around-the-house option.

    Blog text (33)

  • In this study, 80% of all subjects believed that students should be required to wear proper athletic wear (shorts, t-shirts, sweats, gym shoes) in physical education.

    Academic text (1994)

  • He bought new athletic wear for the upcoming marathon next month.

Synonyms

sportswear
vsathletic wear
9 1.3

Clothes you wear for sport or casual activity

is defined by use in physical exercise rather than by association
tracksuit
vsathletic wear
9 1.3

A set of loose, comfortable clothes with a jacket and pants for exercise

is a more general name for clothing used in many sports
sweatsuit
vsathletic wear
  • US
5 1.1

A matching set of comfortable clothes with a top and pants for exercise or relaxing

is a general category for sports clothing beyond that set
activewear
vsathletic wear
1 2.7

Clothes made for exercise and sport often worn for comfort

is focused more on sports settings than general physical activity
gym suit
vsathletic wear
  • US
1 1.7

A set of clothes worn for exercise class, usually a shirt and shorts

is broader and used across many sports rather than only indoor sets
workout suit
vsathletic wear
  • US
1.4

A set of loose, comfortable clothes worn for exercise

is a broader term for clothing used in sports, not just that set
sweats
vsathletic wear
  • US
2.0

Loose soft pants and a matching top worn for exercise or at home

covers all garments for physical activity, not only that matching outfit
sweatpants
vsathletic wear
  • US
1.0

Loose comfortable pants with elastic at the ankles, worn for exercise or relaxing

includes full outfits and other garments, not only trousers

How Sporty

skinsuit
  • Specialized
1 6.6
athletic wear
1 2.7
casual
81 1.3

Surface Forms

athletic wear singular
athletic wears plural

Morphology

athletic + wear

The meaning 'clothing designed for sports or physical exercise' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'athletic' (related to sports/physical fitness) with 'wear' (clothing). This straightforward compositional pattern is common across languages (e.g. Spanish 'ropa deportiva', French 'vêtements de sport') and follows normal English noun modification, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

The name athletic wear comes from clothes made for athletes: athletic (for 'sports') and wear (what you put on). These clothes were made to help you move and stay cool, so today athletic wear means clothing for 'sports' or for relaxed everyday use.