Literal Meaning

Athletic shoes

Actual Meaning

Athletic footwear like sneakers - the standard New Zealand term borrowed from British English

Context

Used when discussing footwear for sports or casual outings.

Examples

• "I'm going to get some trainers for my morning jog."
• "He wore his new trainers to football practice yesterday."
• "Those trainers look really comfortable for everyday wear."

Tips

• Remember that this term is more commonly used in British English, so you might not hear it as much if you're in the US or other countries.
• If someone refers to 'trainers', they are often talking about shoes that are not just for sports but also for everyday casual wear.
• When discussing athletic footwear, using 'trainers' can help you sound more like a local in the UK.
• In casual conversations, 'trainers' can be used interchangeably with 'sneakers' or 'sports shoes'.