training shoes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, everyday
Quick answer
What does “training shoes” mean?
Athletic footwear designed primarily for comfort and exercise, typically featuring a soft sole and flexible upper.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Athletic footwear designed primarily for comfort and exercise, typically featuring a soft sole and flexible upper.
A casual style of shoe based on athletic design, often worn for everyday comfort rather than specific sports.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'training shoes' is the common generic term. In American English, the equivalent generic terms are 'sneakers', 'tennis shoes', or 'athletic shoes'.
Connotations
UK: Neutral, functional. US: The term 'training shoes' is less common and may sound slightly British or specific to actual sports training.
Frequency
High frequency in UK English; low frequency in US English where 'sneakers' dominates.
Grammar
How to Use “training shoes” in a Sentence
[Subject] wears training shoes.[Subject] bought a pair of training shoes.[Subject] prefers training shoes to boots.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “training shoes” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She preferred a training-shoe style for her long commute.
- The training-shoe market is competitive.
American English
- The sneaker (not 'training shoe') style is popular.
- The athletic-shoe market is competitive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in retail contexts: 'The training shoes segment saw a 5% growth.'
Academic
Rare, used in sports science or design contexts.
Everyday
Common: 'I need to get new training shoes for the gym.'
Technical
Used in product design, podiatry, and sports retail.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “training shoes”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “training shoes”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “training shoes”
- Using 'training shoes' in US English where 'sneakers' is expected.
- Incorrect plural: 'a training shoe' (rarely used as a singular noun; usually 'a pair of training shoes').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Training shoes' is a general term for athletic footwear. 'Running shoes' are a specific type of training shoe designed for the biomechanics of running.
You will be understood, but it marks you as a non-native speaker. 'Sneakers' or 'athletic shoes' are the standard American terms.
It is typically plural ('my trainers are dirty'), though informally it can be treated as a singular collective noun ('a new trainers'). 'A trainer' usually refers to a person.
No, they are almost exclusively informal or sportswear. Wearing them with formal attire is generally considered a faux pas.
Athletic footwear designed primarily for comfort and exercise, typically featuring a soft sole and flexible upper.
Training shoes: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ ˌʃuːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ ˌʃuːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his training shoes. (variation on common idiom)”
- “All talk and no new training shoes. (variation implying lack of action)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'training' for exercise and 'shoes' for footwear. You wear training shoes when you are in training.
Conceptual Metaphor
Footwear is a tool for activity; Comfort is mobility.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used as a direct synonym for 'training shoes' in American English?