sprinter

IPA/ˈsprɪntə(r)/
KK[sprˈɪntɚ]IPA/ˈsprɪntər/

sprinter — noun

  • sprintersingular
  • sprintersplural

1. a person who competes in running events covering a short distance, such as the 1

1.nounB1
Definition

a person who competes in running events covering a short distance, such as the 100-metre or 200-metre race, by running at their fastest possible speed

Example

Yuki has been training as a sprinter since she was twelve years old.

collocation: train as a sprinter

The coach said that good sprinters need strong leg muscles and quick reactions at the starting gun.

Common collocations
  • fast sprinter
  • Olympic sprinter
  • world-class sprinter
  • train as a sprinter
Synonyms
  • runner

    a general term that includes both sprinters and long-distance runners; less specific than 'sprinter'

  • racer

    someone who competes in races of any distance or type, not just short distances on foot

Antonyms
  • long-distance runner

    someone who runs races of several kilometres, such as 5,000 metres or marathons, using endurance rather than explosive speed

Usage Note

A sprinter is always a human (or occasionally an animal like a horse or greyhound). For a vehicle built for short bursts of speed, use 'sprint car' or 'dragster' instead.

Common Mistakes

Usain Bolt is a famous runner who competes in long-distance races of 42 kilometres.
Usain Bolt is a famous sprinter who competes in 100-metre and 200-metre races.
A sprinter runs short distances, not long ones like marathons.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Runner is the broadest term for anyone who runs, whether competitively or for exercise. A sprinter is a specific type of runner who focuses on short distances (up to 400 metres) where maximum speed matters most — this is the key difference. Racer overlaps with both but shifts the emphasis to the competitive aspect; a racer can compete in foot races, car races, or bike races, while a sprinter is limited to sprinting. For example, a person who jogs every morning is a runner but not a sprinter or a racer. Usain Bolt is both a runner and a sprinter, and also a racer when he competes. A child in a school sack race is a racer but definitely not a sprinter.

runner ↗racer ↗sprinter ↗

Etymology

Old NorseEnglish

Sprinter comes from the verb 'sprint', which appeared in English around the 1500s meaning 'to spring or leap forward'. It probably comes from an Old Norse word 'sprinta' (to jump, to split). By the late 1800s, 'sprint' was used for a short burst of fast running in athletics, and 'sprinter' for the person doing it.