Word
Definition
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.
Examples
“I need to buy a new pair of sneakers for the gym.”
“He wore white sneakers with his suit to give the outfit a more relaxed and modern look.”
“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.”
Examples
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.
Etymology
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.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/sneaker
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0