sneakers: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighInformal/Casual
Quick answer
What does “sneakers” mean?
Lightweight, comfortable shoes with rubber soles, designed for casual wear or sports.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Lightweight, comfortable shoes with rubber soles, designed for casual wear or sports.
A pair of casual athletic footwear, often made of canvas, leather, or synthetic materials; can symbolise youth culture, casual lifestyle, or collectible fashion items.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'trainers' is the dominant term. 'Sneakers' is understood but often perceived as an Americanism.
Connotations
In the US, 'sneakers' is standard casual footwear. In the UK, it can sound slightly dated or specifically American.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in AmE; moderate but growing in BrE due to globalisation of sneaker culture.
Grammar
How to Use “sneakers” in a Sentence
wear [sneakers]lace up [one's sneakers]tie [one's sneakers]buy a pair of [sneakers]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sneakers” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He sneakers about the house to avoid waking the baby. (rare, archaic)
American English
- She sneakers out the back door when she doesn't want to talk. (rare, archaic)
adjective
British English
- The sneaker culture in London is thriving. (attributive noun)
American English
- He works in the sneaker industry in Portland. (attributive noun)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in retail, marketing (e.g., 'The sneaker market grew by 15%').
Academic
Rare; possibly in sociology/fashion studies (e.g., 'Sneakers as cultural artefacts').
Everyday
Very common; casual conversations about clothing, fitness, fashion.
Technical
Sports science/design contexts (e.g., 'The sneakers' cushioning system').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sneakers”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sneakers”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sneakers”
- Using singular 'sneaker' incorrectly (e.g., 'I need a new sneaker').
- Using 'sneakers' in formal British writing where 'trainers' is expected.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always used in the plural ('my sneakers are dirty'). The singular 'sneaker' is rare except in compounds like 'sneaker collection'.
In practical terms, very little. 'Trainers' is the standard British English term, while 'sneakers' is standard American English. Some argue trainers are more for sport, sneakers more for casual wear, but the terms are largely interchangeable.
Generally no. In formal contexts, use 'athletic shoes', 'casual shoes', or 'sports shoes'. 'Sneakers' is informal.
The name originated in the late 1800s because the rubber soles allowed the wearer to 'sneak' around quietly, unlike hard-soled shoes.
Lightweight, comfortable shoes with rubber soles, designed for casual wear or sports.
Sneakers: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsniːkəz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsnikərz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sneakerhead (a sneaker enthusiast/collector)”
- “sneaker culture”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Sneakers let you 'sneak' around quietly because of their soft rubber soles.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS CASUAL (e.g., 'He chose the sneakers of informality over the boots of authority').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in British English instead of 'sneakers'?