English Reference
Noun

sneaker

n. countable
A2 Elementary US /ˈsnikɝ/ UK /snˈiːkɐ/ sneak·er UK spelling sneakers Biology

n.a soft shoe with a rubber sole that people wear for sports or casual activities.

n.a soft-soled shoe designed for athletic or casual wear, typically constructed from canvas or synthetic materials with a rubber base.


SIMPLE

I need to buy a new pair of sneakers for the gym.

CONTEXTUAL

He wore white sneakers with his suit to give the outfit a more relaxed and modern look.

COMPLEX

The rise of streetwear has transformed the sneaker from a functional piece of athletic equipment into a high-fashion status symbol often sold at significant markups on the secondary market.

Usage

Commonly used in the plural; often referred to as 'trainers' in British English.


From sneak + -er. The shoes sense is a reference to the quietness of the shoes.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Occasional
Updated