jock

word

/ˈdʒɑk/
jahk
/dʒˈɒk/
jok

Definition

A jock is an informal word for a person, usually a young man, who is very interested in sports or is good at them. It can also refer to the stereotype of a popular school athlete.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly American and informal. It often sounds stereotypical rather than neutral, especially in school or movie contexts. It can be positive, negative, or teasing depending on tone. Don't confuse it with technical sports words like 'athlete' or with the unrelated British use in 'disc jockey' shortened to 'DJ', not 'jock' in this sense.

Example Sentences

He was a jock in high school and played football every fall.

basic

He looks like a jock, but he's actually really into chess and science fiction.

natural

That show is full of old clichés—the mean girl, the nerd, the dumb jock.

natural

People thought she only liked jocks, but that wasn't true.

basic

The movie shows the jock as loud and very confident.

basic

I was such a theater kid that I never really fit in with the jocks.

natural