sneaker
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /snˈiːkə/
US
- /ˈsnikər/
Description
- soft sports shoe
- rubber-soled casual shoe
- trainer
- tennis shoe
A "sneaker" is a soft shoe with a rubber sole, made for sports or for everyday wear. The name comes from the quiet sound the rubber sole makes, so a person could move around without much noise. Today, people wear sneakers for running, basketball, walking, school, travel, and fashion. Some are simple canvas shoes, while others are built with extra support for exercise. You can wear them with jeans, shorts, sports clothes, or many other casual outfits.
The word "sneaker" refers to a soft shoe with a flexible rubber sole, usually worn for sports, exercise, or casual daily life. It started as a practical kind of shoe that was comfortable, light, and quiet, which is how it got its name. Over time, the word came to cover many kinds of casual athletic shoes, not just ones used in sports.
In everyday English, "sneaker" often means the kind of shoe you might wear to run, train, walk around town, or simply stay comfortable during the day. Some sneakers are made for specific activities, such as running, basketball, tennis, or skateboarding. Others are mainly worn for style. They can be low-cut or high-top, plain or colorful, and they may be made from canvas, leather, mesh, or modern synthetic materials.
The meaning of the word has also grown in popular culture. For many people, sneakers are not only useful shoes but also part of identity and fashion. Certain brands and models become famous, and some people collect rare pairs or follow new releases closely. In that context, a pair of sneakers can show personal taste, interest in sports, or connection to music, streetwear, and design.
So when someone says they are putting on sneakers, they usually mean comfortable rubber-soled shoes that can work for movement, daily errands, and relaxed outfits. The word is simple, common, and strongly tied to both comfort and modern style.
Examples
- 1
School clothes
I need a new pair of sneakers for gym class.
Phrase
a pair of sneakers
the two shoes together
- 2
Casual outfit
She wore white sneakers with a summer dress.
- 3
Rainy weather
His sneakers were still wet from the rain.
- 4
Shoe comfort
These sneakers feel comfortable at first, but they hurt my heels after an hour.
- 5
Product release
The store sold out of the new sneakers in minutes.
- 6
Collecting
He collects rare sneakers and keeps them in their original boxes.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sneakernoun
Forms
- sneakerspluralnoun