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Meaning & use

trainers

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈtreɪ.nəz/
US/ˈtreɪ.nɚz/

“trainers” is a form of “trainer”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nounusually pluralBritish

    Soft, comfortable shoes with rubber soles, worn for sport or casual wear.

    Grammar: Normally plural and used with a pair of: a pair of trainers; singular trainer is rare for shoes.

    Patterns

    • a pair of trainers
    • in trainers
    • wear trainers

    I bought a new pair of trainers for the gym.

    You can't wear trainers to the wedding.

    She laced up her trainers and went for a run.

  2. nounplural

    People whose job is to teach or coach others, or to prepare athletes or animals for performance.

    Grammar: Plural of trainer: personal trainers coach clients.

    Patterns

    • trainers at somewhere
    • trainers for something

    The club hired two trainers for the youth team.

    Horse trainers start work before sunrise.

    Corporate trainers run workshops for new staff.

Word forms

singulartrainer

Common combinations

pair of trainers
He lost a pair of trainers at the pool.
running trainers
Running trainers should fit snugly.
white trainers
Her white trainers were spotless.
personal trainers
Personal trainers design workout plans.
qualified trainers
Only qualified trainers teach the class.

Synonyms and how they differ

sneakers
Sneakers is the usual American word for the shoes, while trainers is the British word.
running shoes
Running shoes are made for running, whereas trainers is a broader everyday word for sports-style shoes.
coaches
Coaches usually lead teams or athletes, while trainers can also teach job skills or care for animals.
instructors
Instructors teach skills in a class, while trainers often stress practical or fitness work.

Opposites

trainees

Word family

train verb
to teach or practice a skill
trainer noun
one person who trains others, or a sports shoe
trainee noun
a person who is being trained
training noun
instruction or practice for a skill
trainable adjective
able to be taught

Commonly confused: trainers or trainees?

trainers vs trainees

Trainees are the people being taught, while trainers are the ones teaching.

Practice

In British English, the shoes you wear to the gym are called ___.

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