medallist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, journalistic, sports commentary
Quick answer
What does “medallist” mean?
An athlete or competitor who wins a medal in a sporting event, typically referring to gold, silver, or bronze placements.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An athlete or competitor who wins a medal in a sporting event, typically referring to gold, silver, or bronze placements.
A person who has been awarded a medal for distinction in any field, including military service, arts, or science.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English uses 'medallist'. American English uses 'medalist' (one 'l').
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries positive connotations of excellence and achievement. In British sports media, 'medallist' often implies an Olympic or Commonwealth Games context.
Frequency
More frequent in British English due to strong association with major multi-sport events like the Olympics. In American English, 'gold/silver/bronze medal winner' is also common.
Grammar
How to Use “medallist” in a Sentence
[Athlete] is a medallist[Athlete] became a medallist in [event/year]the medallist in [event]a medallist for [country]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “medallist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She aims to medallist in the next championships. (rare, informal)
adjective
British English
- The medallist athlete gave an inspiring interview.
- A medallist performance secured her place in history.
American English
- The medalist swimmer celebrated with his team.
- Her medalist finish was broadcast nationwide.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May be used metaphorically for top sales performers (e.g., 'quarterly sales medallist').
Academic
Used in historical or sociological studies of sport.
Everyday
Common in news reports about sports events.
Technical
Used in official sports regulations and results documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “medallist”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “medallist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “medallist”
- Using 'medallist' for someone who merely owns a medal (use 'medal holder').
- Using 'medallist' without specifying the event or context.
- Misspelling as 'medalist' in British contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'champion' is the first-place winner of a competition. A 'medallist' is any competitor who finishes in the top three (or sometimes top few) and receives a medal. All champions are medallists, but not all medallists are champions.
Yes, but it is less common and usually requires a modifier. For example, 'a Nobel Prize medallist' or 'a distinguished service medallist'. In most cases, 'recipient', 'awardee', or 'laureate' is preferred outside of sports.
In American English, the correct spelling is 'medalist' with one 'l'. The double 'l' spelling ('medallist') is standard in British and Commonwealth English.
Yes, but it typically refers to individual members of a winning team (e.g., 'an Olympic hockey medallist'). You can also say 'the team are medallists'.
An athlete or competitor who wins a medal in a sporting event, typically referring to gold, silver, or bronze placements.
Medallist is usually formal, journalistic, sports commentary in register.
Medallist: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmed.əl.ɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmed.əl.ɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Born to be a medallist”
- “A medallist in waiting”
- “From nowhere to medallist”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MEDAL hanging on the chest of a LISTS of winners - a MEDAL-LIST.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS A VALUABLE METAL (gold/silver/bronze).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'medallist' most appropriate?