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noun

cleats

kleets

Cleats (noun) means athletic shoes with studs or ridges on the sole for grip on grass or turf; also the studs themselves. Example: “He laced up his cleats before running out onto the pitch.”

noun
1
Athletic shoes with studs or ridges on the sole for grip on grass or turf; also the studs themselves.
"He laced up his cleats before running out onto the pitch."
"The infield was too muddy for regular sneakers, so everyone wore cleats."

How to Use Cleats

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSports shoes (or the grippy studs on their soles) built for traction on soft or slippery ground.

UK vs US

Mainly an American term — British English usually says "studs" (for the grips) or "football boots" (for the shoes).

Common pairings
a pair of cleats football cleats wear cleats
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He laced up his _____ before running out onto the pitch.

Rhymes for cleats

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “cleats” mean?

The word “cleats” means athletic shoes with studs or ridges on the sole for grip on grass or turf; also the studs themselves. In plain terms, sports shoes (or the grippy studs on their soles) built for traction on soft or slippery ground.

How do you pronounce “cleats”?

“Cleats” is pronounced kleets (/kliːts/ in IPA).

How do you use “cleats” in a sentence?

Here is “cleats” used in a sentence: “He laced up his cleats before running out onto the pitch.”

What part of speech is “cleats”?

“Cleats” is a noun.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial