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Where does the word "athlete" come from? It comes from Greek athlon, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
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Where does the word "athlete" come from? It comes from Greek athlon, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).
Athlete’s story begins in Greek: athlon meant “a prize, a contest.” A prize or contest, the root behind one who competes for one. It reached English by 1500s as athlete. Settled as the English word for a person skilled in physical sport. Today, athlete means a person proficient in physical exercise, sports, or games requiring strength or stamina.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient athlon "a prize, a contest", a prize or contest, the root behind one who competes for one.
- Stage 2 · English · 1500s athlete "a person trained or skilled in physical sport", settled as the English word for a person skilled in physical sport.