Can be found at the youth, high school, college, and professional levels. An individual who participates in sports. Characterized by dedication, focus, intelligence, and work ethic. Athletes usually are overshadowed in high school by Jocks; they are too busy to do much grandstanding. Most pro players are athletes rather than jocks.

The athlete is intelligent, hard-working, and a decent human being. He has fallback plans for the future in case he can't play pro. The jock is arrogant, stupid, lazy, and an asshole. He has no plans for the future beyond high school whatsoever.
Jocks are drinking and fucking cheerleaders while athletes are training, studying, or participating in worthwhile extracurriculars.

Ryan Leaf was a jock. Steve Young was an athlete. Both were standouts through college, but look at the difference in their NFL careers.
by Student-Athlete September 22, 2004
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as opposed to a jock, people who dedicate their time to pursue a career in sport and don't have 100% arrogance because of their superior fitness to non-sportsmen! have a competitive edge though through their sports dedication, and sees life outside their sport, and not always their jock teammates (not always their mates), girls and beer!
Campbell is an athlete loved by everyone through his dedication to his many talents in various sports and community service!
by youdon'tknowme! November 16, 2010
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a person (male or female) who actively and competitvely competes in sporting events. They have kick ass bodies and are envied by many. They are usually very intelligent but sometimes afraid to show it. The term "JV" is a death sentence to a true athlete. they aren't arrogant and are usually confused with jocks who are low life losers. they wear any style except (in most cases) hippie, goth, and emo. You can find them at practice, the courts, the pool, the fields, or the track. and yes, cheerleaders and dancers ARE athletes. athletes don't give up and the female athlete tends to be a great flirt. she with many sports gets many guys.
Laura, the school's star athlete, plays soccer, volleyball, tennis, lacrosse, and water polo...WOW!
by jenny1990!!!!!!!!1 July 21, 2006
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doesnt play a sport because he or she likes it...they just cant imagine their life without it. they live for the way they feel after they achieve their goals...they become a family with their team..
work their asses of to improve as much as they can....much better than stupid jocks...they hang out with whomever they want but like to be with their team mates mostly ...
dayyum isiah is a great athlete .. did you see how much his 400m time improved since the last track meet
by trackluver July 22, 2008
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Anyone who is onvolved in sports, but is not an egotist for it, and has other interests (other than sex.) Most athletes asre not very noticeable, and the nicest girls I know are athletes.
I do not look like an athlete, but I am a coxswain in crew.
by Cogitator August 9, 2008
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A kick-ass British band, who are very underrated
Just go listen to their album; Vehicles and Animals
by Biddy December 13, 2004
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Body type characterized by a lean, sinewy, muscular physique (NOT scrawny, but not muscle-bound like a bodybuilders' or obese). Despite the name, many non-athletes have athletically shaped bodies due simply to a healthy lifestyle.
Jerry isnt a total fitness freak, but he has a sculpted, athletic body.
by Greg Haz October 15, 2007
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