noun
Common
runners
Runners (noun) means Casual, informal British/Irish/Australian term for athletic shoes. Example: “Remember to pack your runners if we are going for a long walk.”
noun
1
Casual, informal British/Irish/Australian term for athletic shoes.
"Remember to pack your runners if we are going for a long walk."
"My runners are worn out after two years of jogging to work."
"He kicked off his runners at the door and slipped into slippers."
How to use runners
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRunning shoes or trainers — mainly British, Irish, and Australian usage.
UK vs US
American English almost always says "sneakers", while "runners" is the everyday word in Ireland, Australia, and parts of the UK.
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Remember to pack your _____ if we are going for a long walk.
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Rhymes for runners
See all rhymes for runners →Frequently asked questions
What does “runners” mean?
The word “runners” means casual, informal British/Irish/Australian term for athletic shoes. In plain terms, running shoes or trainers — mainly British, Irish, and Australian usage.
How do you use “runners” in a sentence?
Here is “runners” used in a sentence: “He kicked off his runners at the door and slipped into slippers.”
What part of speech is “runners”?
“Runners” is a noun.
Is “runners” a common word?
“Runners” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between runners and trainers?
Both are informal words for athletic shoes, but "runners" is common in Ireland and Australia, while "trainers" is the usual term in British English. They refer to the same kind of sporty, lace-up footwear.
What is the difference between runners and sneakers?
"Runners" and "sneakers" both mean athletic shoes, but "sneakers" is the standard American and Canadian word, whereas "runners" is used in Ireland, Australia, and parts of Britain. The footwear is the same; the label depends on region.
Where is the word runners used to mean shoes?
Using "runners" to mean athletic shoes is casual and chiefly Irish and Australian, and heard in parts of Britain. In American English, speakers would usually say "sneakers" or "running shoes" instead.
Is runners always plural when it means shoes?
In the footwear sense, "runners" is normally used in the plural because shoes come in pairs, as in "a new pair of runners." A single shoe would rarely be called "a runner" in this sense.
