WordGarden.iofitness
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈɪtnəs/
US
- /ˈfɪtnəs/
Meanings
Noun
physical health, strength, and condition
suitability for a purpose or situation
an organism's reproductive success in evolution
Beyond the definition
Fitness is not just about big muscles or running marathons, though it can include those things. In everyday life, it means being healthy and strong enough to do daily tasks with energy, without getting too tired too quickly. Think of someone who can carry groceries, climb stairs, and still feel ready for the rest of the day. It can also include mental and emotional well-being. A carpenter who can lift heavy beams and stay focused enough to make careful cuts is showing this kind of strength and readiness. The word can also mean suitability, such as a person's fitness for a job or a task. In that sense, it is about being ready for what life asks of you.
The word "fitness" often makes people think of gyms, exercise, and sports, but its meaning is wider than that. At its core, fitness is the state of being healthy and strong enough, both physically and sometimes mentally, to meet the demands of daily life or a special task. It is not just one thing. In the physical sense, it can include stamina, strength, flexibility, and overall body condition.
The word also has an important meaning in biology. In evolution, fitness is an organism's ability to survive and pass its genes on to the next generation. This is the idea behind the phrase "survival of the fittest." In modern daily life, physical fitness is still important because it helps people stay healthier, lowers the risk of some long-term diseases, and often supports a better mood and lower stress.
Just as importantly, the term can also mean suitability or appropriateness. We can talk about a person's fitness to stand trial, an athlete's fitness for a match after an injury, or a tool's fitness for a certain purpose. This shows that fitness is not the same in every situation. What counts as being fit depends on the goal. A marathon runner needs something different from a weightlifter, and both are different from someone who simply wants to walk comfortably around the neighborhood.
In the end, whether you are training for sport, judging whether someone is suitable for a role, or simply trying to live a healthier life, fitness is about being ready. It is the kind of health, strength, and suitability that helps a person or thing meet the needs of a given situation.
Examples
- 1
Gym goal
She joined the gym to improve her fitness.
- 2
Low-impact exercise
Swimming is good for fitness, and it is easier on the knees than running.
- 3
Training progress
After a few months of training, his fitness level had gone up a lot.
- 4
Health tracking
The app tracks your steps, heart rate, and overall fitness.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Work clearance
The doctor will assess her fitness to return to work.
- Patternfitness to + verb
whether someone is healthy or strong enough to do it
- 6
Job suitability
The interview panel discussed his fitness for the role.
- Patternfitness for + role/task
whether someone is suitable for it
See also
Similar
- physical condition
- conditioning
- shape
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- unfitness
- frailty
Used with (collocations)
- physical fitness
- fitness level
- fitness training
- cardiovascular fitness
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- fitnessnoun
Forms
- fitnessespluralnoun