Olympics

Meanings

1. 1proper nounpluralsport

   The major international sports event held every four years, with separate summer and winter editions, where athletes from many countries compete.

   Grammar: Takes a plural verb and the: the Olympics start tomorrow.

   Patterns

   • compete in the Olympics
   • win a medal at the Olympics

   She trained for years to compete in the Olympics.

   The Olympics were held in Paris in 2024.

   Millions of people watch the Olympics on television.

2. 2proper nounpluralsport

   A single occasion of this event, or a contest of any kind named after it, as in the Special Olympics or a school's mini Olympics.

   Grammar: Often with a modifier: the Winter Olympics, the Paralympics.

   Patterns

   • the Winter Olympics
   • the Summer Olympics

   The Winter Olympics take place in the cold months.

   Our school held its own Olympics with sack races and relays.

   He won gold at the Special Olympics last spring.

Common combinations

Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympics include swimming and athletics.

Winter Olympics

Skiing is a favorite at the Winter Olympics.

host the Olympics

Several cities bid to host the Olympics.

Olympic gold

She brought home Olympic gold in rowing.

qualify for the Olympics

He just missed the chance to qualify for the Olympics.

Synonyms and how they differ

Olympic Games

This is the full official name and sounds a little more formal than the Olympics.

the Games

This short form is used once the event is already clear from context.

Word family

Olympic adjective

relating to the Olympics

Olympian noun

an athlete who competes in the Olympics

Olympiad noun

the four-year period between Olympic Games

Paralympics noun

the parallel event for athletes with disabilities

Commonly confused: Olympics or Olympus?

Practice

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