# kicks

/ˈkɪks/ (US) · /kˈɪks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kicks
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. shoes

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

an informal word for shoes, especially sneakers or trainers.

For teachers: a colloquial, plural-only noun referring to footwear, specifically athletic shoes or sneakers.

- He just bought a fresh pair of kicks to wear to the party.
- The collector spent months tracking down those limited-edition kicks, eventually paying double the retail price at an auction.

Usage: Always used in the plural form when referring to footwear.

### 2. for fun

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

doing something just for enjoyment or a small thrill.

For teachers: amusement or a source of pleasurable excitement; almost exclusively used in the phrase 'for kicks'.

- We decided to drive to the beach at midnight just for kicks.
- They didn't expect to win the talent show; they had entered the competition purely for kicks during their summer break.

Usage: Typically appears in the prepositional phrase 'for kicks' or 'just for kicks'.

## Examples

- I just joined the skydiving club for kicks.
- They didn't need the money from the small shop they robbed; they simply did it for kicks on a boring Saturday night.
- While some pursue extreme sports for the professional prestige, others are merely looking for kicks to break the monotony of their corporate routines.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.