activewear

IPA/ˈæk.tɪv.weər/
IPA/ˈæk.tɪv.wer/

activewear — noun

1. comfortable clothing made for exercise and easy movement, often suitable for wea

1.nounB2
Definition

comfortable clothing made for exercise and easy movement, often suitable for wearing in everyday casual situations too

Example

Sayaka packed fresh activewear for the early yoga class downtown.

pack + activewear + for [exercise/activity]

Diya buys activewear that dries quickly after cycling home in rain.

activewear that + performance feature

Common collocations
  • breathable activewear
  • activewear brand
  • activewear line
  • activewear set
  • buy activewear
  • wear activewear
Synonyms
  • sportswear

    broader and more traditional; often used for sport clothing in general

  • athletic wear

    common in American English and often more performance-focused

  • workout clothes

    informal everyday term for what someone wears to exercise

  • athleisure

    overlaps strongly, but stresses sporty fashion for daily life

Antonyms
  • formal wear

    dressier clothing for ceremonies or smart events

  • business wear

    office clothing chosen for professional settings

Grammar Patterns

activewear + is (singular verb)

a piece of activewear

wear activewear

Usage Note

Usually uncountable in retail and fitness contexts. It often suggests clothes that work for exercise but still look suitable for ordinary daily wear.

Common Mistakes

The sale includes many activewears for runners.
The sale includes a lot of activewear for runners.
activewear is usually uncountable, so it does not normally take a plural -s.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Activewear usually suggests modern exercise clothing made from stretchy, breathable, or quick-drying fabrics, and it is often worn beyond workouts. Sportswear is broader and can mean clothing for sport in general, especially as a store or product category. Athletic wear is common in American English and leans more toward training and performance. Workout clothes is the most informal choice for whatever someone puts on for the gym, a class, or a run. Athleisure overlaps with activewear, but it places more emphasis on fashion and everyday street style. If the main idea is comfort and function during movement, activewear is a strong choice.

activewear ↗sportswear ↗athletic wearworkout clothesathleisure ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • activewear brand
  • activewear collection
  • activewear market
  • activewear fabric

Phrases

  • activewear for travel
  • activewear for the gym
  • activewear for daily wear

Prepositions

  • in activewear
  • for activewear

Etymology

LatinFrenchOld EnglishEnglish

Activewear is a modern compound formed from active and wear. Active comes through French and Latin roots connected with doing or moving, while wear comes from Old English and refers to clothing on the body. The compound became common in retail and fitness language for clothes designed to support exercise and comfortable movement.