exercise
exercise
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "exercise" is /ˈɛksərsaɪz/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
ex- /ɛks/
/ɛ/ as in "bed"
/k/ as in "cat"
/s/ as in "snake"
-er- /ər/
/ər/ as in "bird" (rhoticized schwa)
-cise /saɪz/
/s/ as in "snake"
/aɪ/ as in "my"
/z/ as in "zoo"
Word Form Variations
Noun (singular): exercise
Noun (plural): exercises
Verb (base form): exercise
Verb (third-person singular present): exercises
Verb (present participle): exercising
Verb (past tense/past participle): exercised
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: Physical activity carried out for the purpose of maintaining or improving health, fitness, or skill.
Synonyms: workout, training, exertion, calisthenics, drill, aerobics
Antonyms: rest, inactivity, idleness, repose, dormancy
Definition: A task or problem designed to test or develop a skill or understanding, often in an academic or practical context.
Synonyms: assignment, task, drill, practice, problem, study
Antonyms: leisure, entertainment, diversion, relaxation
Definition: The use or application of a faculty, right, or quality.
Synonyms: application, employment, deployment, utilization, discharge, use
Antonyms: disuse, non-use, neglect, abstention, relinquishment
Verb
Definition: To engage in physical activity for the purpose of improving one's health, fitness, or skill.
Synonyms: work out, train, drill, practice, exert oneself, condition
Antonyms: rest, relax, idle, lounge, vegetate
Definition: To perform a task or solve a problem designed to develop a skill or understanding.
Synonyms: practice, drill, rehearse, perform, apply
Antonyms: neglect, avoid, ignore, shirk
Definition: To use or apply a faculty, right, or quality.
Synonyms: employ, utilize, deploy, wield, apply, discharge
Antonyms: refrain from, abstain from, forgo, relinquish, suppress
Examples of Use
Books:
"Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy heart and mind, especially as one ages." (From a health and wellness book)
"The detective's keen observational skills were an exercise in precise deduction, leading him to the truth." (From a mystery novel)
"Chapter three included several challenging exercises designed to solidify the students' understanding of calculus." (From a mathematics textbook)
Newspapers:
"The government's new policy on public health aims to encourage more citizens to incorporate daily exercise into their routines." (Headline in The Daily Nation)
"After weeks of negotiations, the signing of the peace treaty was a delicate exercise in diplomacy." (The New York Times, Op-Ed)
"Local gyms are offering free trial memberships to promote physical exercise in the community." (The Standard, Lifestyle section)
Online Publications:
"How to make exercise a sustainable habit: Tips for busy professionals." (Article on Healthline.com)
"The recent market volatility was an exercise in investor patience, testing the resolve of even seasoned traders." (Blog post on Investopedia.com)
"Our guide provides a variety of bodyweight exercises you can do at home with no equipment." (Fitness article on Verywell Fit)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (Documentary): "This documentary explores the benefits of high-intensity interval training, a form of exercise gaining popularity among athletes." (Voiceover from a BBC Earth documentary)
Film (Dialogue): "You need more exercise, grandpa. Go for a run!" (Line spoken by a character in a family comedy film)
Video Game (Tutorial/Prompt): "Complete the following exercise to master the stealth mechanics." (On-screen text in a video game tutorial)
Podcast (Discussion): "In today's episode, we discuss why finding an exercise routine you enjoy is key to long-term adherence." (From a health and fitness podcast)
Social Media (Fitness Influencer Post): "Just finished my morning exercise! Feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. #fitness #workout" (Instagram caption)
General Public Discourse:
"I really need to get more exercise; I've been feeling sluggish lately." (Casual conversation between friends)
"That presentation was an exercise in futility – no one was listening." (Colleague complaining about a meeting)
"The teacher gave us a really difficult exercise for homework." (Student discussing school assignments)
10 Famous Quotes Using Exercise
"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." (Jim Rohn, attributed) – Though not using "exercise" directly, this is a strong metaphorical quote emphasizing the importance of physical well-being, for which exercise is primary.
"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." (Joseph Addison, The Tatler)
"The most important single ingredient to the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people." (Theodore Roosevelt, attributed) – This quote, while not using "exercise," implies the constant "exercise" of social skills and diplomacy, crucial for success.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." (George Bernard Shaw, attributed) – This quote implicitly advocates for continued mental and physical "exercise" through play.
"A sound mind in a sound body." (Juvenal, Saturae) – A classical quote that inherently links mental and physical well-being, often achieved through "exercise."
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." (Mahatma Gandhi, attributed) – This suggests an "exercise" in selflessness and empathy.
"Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means." (Ronald Reagan, attributed) – This describes peace as an ongoing "exercise" of skill in conflict resolution.
"Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet." (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics) – This quote refers to patience as a difficult "exercise" that yields positive results.
"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man." (Author unknown, frequently attributed to nature advocates) – This implies the need for "exercise" in and connection with natural environments.
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." (Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom) – This is an example of an "exercise" in resilience and perseverance.
Etymology
The word "exercise" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It comes to us from Latin, specifically the word "exercitium." This Latin word meant something like "training" or "physical exercise," often referring to the training of soldiers or horsemen.
Before that, "exercitium" came from the Latin verb "exercere," which meant "to keep busy," "to keep at work," "to train," or "to practice." If you break "exercere" down even further, it's made up of "ex-" (meaning "out" or "away from") and a root related to "arcere," which meant "to enclose" or "to hold off/restrain." So, the original idea might have been to "drive something out" or "keep something in motion," like driving farm animals out to work in the fields.
The word "exercise" made its way into English from Old French ("exercice") in the Middle English period (around 1150-1500).
The very first known use of "exercise" as a noun in English was around 1340, found in the writings of Richard Rolle, a religious author. At this time, it was used to mean "a condition of being in active operation" or "practice for the sake of training."
By the late 14th century, the meaning of "physical activity for fitness" started to appear, along with the idea of "carrying out an action" or "a disciplinary task." The use of "exercise" to refer to written schoolwork, like the problems you solve in a textbook, came a bit later, in the early 17th century.
So, in simple terms, "exercise" started with the idea of keeping something busy or in training, particularly for physical or skill development, and those core meanings have evolved and stuck with the word to this day!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Exercise
Exercise good judgment: To make sensible and wise decisions.
Exercise one's rights: To use or enact one's legal or moral entitlements.
Exercise caution: To be careful and wary.
Exercise power/authority: To use one's position or influence.
An exercise in futility: An action or attempt that is pointless and will have no successful outcome.
An exercise in patience: A situation that severely tests one's ability to remain calm and wait.
Get some exercise: To engage in physical activity.
Take regular exercise: To habitually perform physical activity.
A mental exercise: A task or problem designed to stimulate or challenge the mind.
Give someone a good workout: To tire someone out physically or mentally (using a synonym for similar effect).
Go through the motions (of exercising): To perform an activity without genuine effort or engagement (related to exercise, but broader).
Flex one's muscles: To demonstrate or use one's power or influence (a metaphorical "exercise" of strength).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of exercise from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
