A sneaker is a casual, comfortable shoe with a rubber sole that makes very little noise when you walk. The name comes from the idea that you could “sneak around” quietly in them, unlike the loud, hard-soled leather shoes people wore in the early 1900s, when sneakers first became popular.

Sneakers started as simple canvas shoes for sports and exercise, but they've become everyday footwear for millions of people. Today's sneakers come in endless styles and colors, from basic white canvas shoes to high-tech basketball shoes with air cushions and special support. Some sneakers are designed for specific sports like running, soccer, or skateboarding, while others are just for style.

The word is primarily American. In Britain and some other countries, people call them trainers or plimsolls, and in parts of Canada they're called running shoes. But no matter what you call them, they're go-to shoes for gym class, playground time, and comfortable everyday wear.