How to pronounce athletics
Say it like ath-LET-iks. Athletics has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce athletics. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ath
- LET
- iks
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Athletics pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- athKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- LETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- iksKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of athletics
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ath-LET-iks.
What does athletics mean?
- an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
- a contest between athletes
- participation in sports events as an extracurricular activity
Where does athletics come from?
From athletic: see -ics.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with athletics
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of athletics.
Questions about saying athletics
How do you pronounce athletics?
Say ath-LET-iks. The American pronunciation is /æθˈlɛtɪks/. In British English it is /æθˈlɛtɪks/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in athletics?
Athletics has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LET). Broken into parts: ath · LET · iks.
Is athletics pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /æθˈlɛtɪks/ (ath-LET-iks).