kicks
6 synonyms for kicks, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Informal word for shoes, especially stylish sneakers.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
sneakers
trainers
shoes
tennis shoes
sneaks
How to use kicks
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fresh kicks
a pair of kicks
Informal — mainly used in casual speech and sneaker culture, not in formal writing.
Etymology
Plural of "kick," slang usage that emerged in American English referring to footwear.
Full origin of kicks →Frequently asked questions
What does “kicks” mean?
The word “kicks” means informal word for shoes, especially stylish sneakers. In plain terms, casual slang for shoes, particularly trainers or sneakers.
How do you pronounce “kicks”?
“Kicks” is pronounced kihks (/kɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “kicks” in a sentence?
Here is “kicks” used in a sentence: “He showed off his new kicks at the party.”
What part of speech is “kicks”?
“Kicks” is a noun.
Is “kicks” a common word?
“Kicks” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What kind of shoes are called kicks?
Kicks is informal slang for shoes, above all stylish sneakers or trainers, and it is especially common in sneaker-collecting and streetwear culture. You would call a fresh pair of basketball shoes kicks, but the word is rarely applied to formal footwear.
Is kicks singular or plural?
In the shoes sense, kicks is always plural: people say "new kicks" or "a pair of kicks," never "a kick" for a single shoe. Verbs agree in the plural: "Those kicks are clean."
Is kicks too informal for professional writing?
Yes — kicks is casual slang, at home in conversation, social media, and lifestyle writing. In formal or professional contexts, use shoes, sneakers, or trainers instead.
