athlete's foot

American

noun

Pathology.

a contagious disease, caused by a fungus that thrives on moist surfaces; ringworm of the feet.

athlete's foot British

noun

Technical name: tinea pedis. a fungal infection of the skin of the foot, esp between the toes and on the soles

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of athlete's foot

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Norms eventually hopes to offer products for “the butt to the gut and beyond,” Katz said about future ventures for athlete’s foot, jock itch and constipation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

A take-off zone could be trialled in place of the event's traditional wooden board, where a no-jump is called if the athlete's foot crosses the line.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2024

Coconut oil is a great natural remedy for all sorts of skin problems: dry skin, itchiness, athlete’s foot, ringworm, diaper rash, and eczema.

From National Geographic • Feb. 7, 2024

Q: I have read your caution not to use a dilute bleach solution to treat athlete’s foot.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 2, 2022

I’m pretty sure he mostly clears up athlete’s foot and plantar warts.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023