olympic
gb/oʊlˈɪmpɪk/ us/oʊlˈɪmpɪk/
B1
English
olimpiai, emberfeletti, olimpiai szintű, óriási, olümpiai, olümposzi
B1
1
olimpiai
B1
Usage pattern:
Olympic + [noun]
She trained for four years to make the Olympic team.
Négy évig edzett, hogy bekerüljön az olimpiai csapatba.
The city upgraded its transport system ahead of the Olympic Games.
A város az olimpiai játékok előtt korszerűsítette a közlekedési rendszerét.
He broke the Olympic record in the 100 meters.
Learner examples
He is an Olympic athlete.
Ő olimpiai sportoló.
We watched the Olympic events on TV.
A tévében néztük az olimpiai versenyszámokat.
Common mistake:
In this meaning it is usually capitalized (Olympic). For the event, English more often says “the Olympics” or “the Olympic Games,” not “the Olympic.”
Meaning
relating to the Olympics
Collocations
Olympic Games
|Olympic athlete
|Olympic team
|Olympic event
|Olympic sport
|Olympic medal
|Olympic champion
|Olympic qualifying
|Olympic committee
|Olympic record
Synonyms
Olympian (Often refers to athletes or things connected with the Olympics; it can also have other meanings.)
Antonyms
non-Olympic (Not included in or connected with the Olympic Games.)
Themes
sports
|competition
|international
Definition
connected with the Olympic Games
Relating to the Olympic Games or the athletes, sports, events, and organizations connected with them.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
Olympic + [noun]
Cleaning the apartment after the party felt like an Olympic task.
A buli után kitakarítani a lakást emberfeletti feladatnak tűnt.
The company made an Olympic effort to meet the deadline.
A cég emberfeletti erőfeszítést tett, hogy tartani tudja a határidőt.
The report describes an Olympic struggle to rebuild after the storm.
Learner examples
It took an Olympic effort to finish on time.
Emberfeletti erőfeszítés kellett ahhoz, hogy időben befejezzük.
Common mistake:
This figurative use is less common than the literal Olympics meaning and often sounds journalistic or humorous.
Meaning
extremely impressive or large
Collocations
Olympic effort
|Olympic proportions
|Olympic feat
|Olympic struggle
|Olympic task
|Olympic level
Synonyms
epic (More general and informal; not tied to sport.)
|
monumental (Focuses on size/importance rather than athletic comparison.)
Antonyms
modest (Not large or impressive in scale.)
Themes
evaluation
|sports
Definition
very big, difficult, or impressive
Extremely impressive, demanding, or large in scale, by comparison with the Olympics.
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
Olympic + [noun]
Archaeologists study the Olympic sanctuary at Olympia.
A régészek az olümpiai szentélykörzetet tanulmányozzák Olümpiában.
The Olympic truce was intended to allow safe travel during the ancient games.
Az olümpiai fegyverszünet célja az volt, hogy az ókori játékok idején biztonságos utazást tegyen lehetővé.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with “Olympian,” which is more common for gods or for a person from Mount Olympus in literature.
Meaning
relating to ancient Olympia/Olympus
Collocations
Olympic festival
|Olympic sanctuary
|Olympic truce
|Olympic victors
|Olympic cult
Synonyms
Olympian (Often preferred when talking about the Greek gods or a lofty manner.)
Antonyms
modern (Not ancient or classical in period.)
Themes
history
|ancient_greece
|culture
Definition
connected with ancient Greece and Olympia
Relating to ancient Olympia in Greece, the ancient Olympic Games, or (more rarely) to Mount Olympus and the gods associated with it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
olympic
IPA
GB/oʊlˈɪmpɪk/
US/oʊlˈɪmpɪk/
Syllables & stress
olympic (1 syllable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: olympic
- Comparative: olympicer
- Superlative: olympicest
Word family
Forms
olympicer
adjective
olympicest
adjective
Core family
olympian
noun
Advanced or less common
olympiad
noun C1
Expressions
olympic games
1/oʊlˈɪmpɪk ɡˈeɪmz/
fixed phrase
the world’s biggest sports event
the big world sports competition called the Olympics
Examples
- The Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028.
- She qualified for the Olympic Games after winning the national trials.
Learner examples
- I watched the Olympic Games with my family.
olympic gold
1/oʊlˈɪmpɪk ɡˈoʊld/
fixed phrase
first place at the Olympics
a gold medal at the Olympics
Examples
- She won Olympic gold in the 200-meter final.
- The team is going for Olympic gold after years of rebuilding.
Learner examples
- He wants to win Olympic gold.
olympic medal
1/oʊlˈɪmpɪk mˈɛdəl/
fixed phrase
prize for top Olympic finishers
a gold, silver, or bronze prize at the Olympics
Examples
- He won an Olympic medal at his first Games.
- The country celebrated its first-ever Olympic medal in swimming.
Learner examples
- She won an Olympic medal.
olympic rings
1/oʊlˈɪmpɪk ɹˈɪŋz/
fixed phrase
symbol of the Olympic Games
the five linked circles that are the Olympics symbol
Examples
- The Olympic rings were projected onto the stadium roof.
- The athlete posed for photos in front of the Olympic rings.
Learner examples
- The Olympic rings are the symbol of the Olympics.
olympic sport
1/oʊlˈɪmpɪk spˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
sport included in the Olympics
a sport that people compete in at the Olympics
Examples
- Skateboarding became an Olympic sport in 2020.
- Not every popular game is an Olympic sport.
Learner examples
- Judo is an Olympic sport.
olympic torch
1/oʊlˈɪmpɪk tˈɔɹt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
torch carried in Olympic relay
the special torch used for the Olympic flame
Examples
- Thousands of people lined the streets to see the Olympic torch.
- She was chosen to carry the Olympic torch through her hometown.
Learner examples
- He carried the Olympic torch.
olympic village
1/oʊlˈɪmpɪk vˈɪlɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
housing for Olympic athletes
the place where Olympic athletes live during the Games
Examples
- Athletes from around the world lived together in the Olympic Village.
- Security is tight around the Olympic Village during the Games.
Learner examples
- The athletes stayed in the Olympic Village.
olympic-size pool
1/oʊlˈɪmpɪk sˈaɪz pˈul/
fixed phrase
standard competition swimming pool
a very large pool used for competitions
Examples
- The new sports center has an Olympic-size pool.
- She trained in an Olympic-size pool to prepare for international meets.
Learner examples
- This gym has an Olympic-size pool.