What does nonathletic mean?
Nonathletic means not athletic. It describes someone who does not have a strong sporting ability or who avoids competitive sport, as well as activities, clothing, or settings that are not designed for athletics. The word does not necessarily imply poor health or a complete lack of physical movement: a person may be nonathletic yet enjoy walking, swimming, or other recreational activities. In clothing advertisements, “nonathletic footwear” usually identifies shoes intended for everyday wear rather than sport. The term is recognized in British and American English and is generally neutral, although it can sound somewhat more formal or categorical than the more conversational phrase “not sporty.”
adjectiveNot athletic; lacking athletic ability, physical activity, or a sporting character.
- Not athletic; lacking athletic ability or a sporting character.
"The clinic offers gentle exercises suitable for nonathletic patients."
"The course is designed for nonathletic beginners who want to improve their general fitness."
"She wore nonathletic shoes for the long walk through the city."
Being nonathletic does not mean being inactive: many non-athletic activities still involve movement, coordination, or physical effort.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nonathletic come from?
The word is formed by combining the negative prefix non- with athletic. “Athletic” comes from Latin athleticus, related to Greek athletēs, an athlete or competitor, and ultimately to the Greek adjective athletikos, meaning suited to competition or exercise. The prefixed form nonathletic has been used in English since at least the 19th century, largely as a descriptive counterpart to athletic.
Related word forms
How nonathletic is actually used
The term is mainly descriptive and is often used when describing activities, clothing, or people who do not participate in sport. It can sound slightly more formal than simply not sporty.