Meaning & use
gym rats
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“gym rats” is a form of “gym rat”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounpluralinformal
People who spend a lot of time exercising at a gym, often seen as very dedicated.
Grammar: Always plural; the singular is 'gym rat'.
Patterns
- be a gym rat
- become a gym rat
My brother and his friends are total gym rats—they're there every morning before work.
The gym is full of gym rats at 6 a.m., all waiting for the weights area.
She used to be a gym rat, but now she prefers running outside.
Word forms
| singular | gym rat |
|---|
Common combinations
- total gym rats
- Those two are total gym rats; they never miss a day.
- become a gym rat
- After college, he became a gym rat and got really strong.
- a bunch of gym rats
- The locker room was crowded with a bunch of gym rats.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fitness fanatic
- More neutral and slightly stronger; it can suggest an obsession, while 'gym rat' is usually mild and friendly.
- workout enthusiast
- Formal and positive; 'gym rat' is informal and more about habit than enthusiasm.
Opposites
Word family
- gym noun
- A place with equipment for exercise.
Commonly confused: gym rats or gym rat?
gym rats vs gym rat
The singular form; use 'gym rat' for one person and 'gym rats' for two or more.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'gym rats' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Gym rats' is plural, so it fits with 'are' and a plural subject. Option A uses 'a' with a plural noun; option C uses 'gym rats' as a place; option D uses 'a' with a plural noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gym rats”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.