sportswear

IPA/ˈspɔːtsweə(r)/
KK[spˈɔrtswˌɛr]IPA/ˈspɔːrtswer/

sportswear — noun

1. items of clothing that people put on when taking part in sports, exercising, or

1.nounB1
Definition

items of clothing that people put on when taking part in sports, exercising, or doing other physical activities

Example

Caleb bought new sportswear for his marathon training.

bought + sportswear + for [purpose]

Marco bought breathable sportswear — shorts and a running top — for weekend runs in the park.

Common collocations
  • sportswear brand
  • sportswear collection
  • sportswear store
  • wear sportswear
  • buy sportswear
  • lightweight sportswear
  • designer sportswear
Synonyms
  • athletic wear

    more common in American English, especially for performance-focused clothing

  • activewear

    a modern term that also includes exercise clothing worn outside of sport

  • workout clothes

    informal and very common in everyday speech

  • sports gear

    broader — includes equipment such as shoes and accessories

Antonyms
  • formal wear

    clothing for official or ceremonial occasions

Grammar Patterns

sportswear + is (singular verb)

a piece of sportswear

Usage Note

Sportswear is an uncountable noun, so it does not have a plural form. Use 'a piece of sportswear' or 'items of sportswear' when referring to individual garments.

Common Mistakes

I bought two new sportswears for the season.
I bought two new pieces of sportswear for the season.
sportswear is uncountable and cannot take a plural -s.

2. comfortable clothing meant to be worn in relaxed, everyday situations rather tha

2.nounB1
Definition

comfortable clothing meant to be worn in relaxed, everyday situations rather than at formal or business events

Example

Ryan wore sportswear — a hoodie and joggers — to meet friends at the café after work.

both A and B — contrasting formal with casual

Tuan wore comfortable sportswear to the weekend barbecue at his cousin's house.

Common collocations
  • casual sportswear
  • designer sportswear
  • sportswear section
  • sportswear line
  • sportswear collection
Synonyms
  • casual wear

    a broader category that includes jeans, t-shirts, etc., not only sporty styles

  • leisurewear

    very similar; often used in retail contexts

  • loungewear

    more specific to clothing worn at home for relaxation

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

sportswear + is (singular verb)

adjective + sportswear

Usage Note

This sense refers to sportswear worn as everyday casual attire, not necessarily during exercise. The same clothing item may be described by either sense depending on context — when worn to the gym it fits sense 1, and when worn to a coffee shop it fits sense 2.

Common Mistakes

I need some sportswears for the casual Friday dress code.
I need some sportswear for the casual Friday dress code.
sportswear stays singular even when referring to multiple items.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Sportswear is the broadest term, used in both British and American English to refer to clothing for sports and exercise, as well as the casual style inspired by it. Activewear is a more modern label, often used in the fashion and fitness industries to emphasise clothing designed to perform well during physical activity while still looking good in everyday settings. Athletic wear is common in American English and tends to focus on performance fabrics for training. Workout clothes is the most informal option, used in casual conversation for whatever someone puts on to exercise. Sports gear is the widest in scope — it includes not only clothing but also equipment like shoes, rackets, and bags. In retail contexts, 'sportswear' is the standard department name, whereas 'activewear' often appears on trendy online stores. For everyday speech, 'workout clothes' sounds most natural; for formal writing, 'sportswear' is safer.

sportswear ↗activewear ↗athletic wearworkout clothessports gear

Common collocations

Nouns

  • sportswear brand
  • sportswear company
  • sportswear industry
  • sportswear designer
  • sportswear line
  • sportswear section

Phrases

  • sportswear and equipment
  • sportswear and accessories

Prepositions

  • in sportswear
  • for sportswear

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Sportswear is a compound of 'sport' and 'wear'. 'Sport' comes from Middle English 'sporte', meaning 'pleasant pastime', borrowed from Old French 'desport' ('amusement'). 'Wear' comes from Old English 'werian', meaning 'to have clothing on the body'. The combined form 'sportswear' first appeared in the early 20th century as clothing for sports became a distinct category in retail and fashion.