trainer
gb/tɹˈeɪnɚ/ us/tɹˈeɪnɚ/
A2
English
~ 6700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
person who trains others
A person who helps people or animals learn a skill or get better at something by giving them regular practice and guidance.
Usage pattern:
a trainer trains [people or animals] for [a skill or activity]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think a trainer is only for sports or the gym. In fact, a trainer can also work in companies, schools, or with animals (for example, a dog trainer or corporate trainer). Learners may also confuse 'trainer' with 'trainee': a trainer teaches; a trainee is the person who is learning.
Synonyms
coach (Often used for sports or performance; can suggest motivating and guiding over time, not just teaching techniques.)
|
instructor (More formal and lesson-focused, common for classes or courses rather than ongoing performance improvement.)
Antonyms
trainee (The person receiving training, not giving it; the role is the opposite of a trainer.)
|
beginner (Highlights someone at an early skill level who may need a trainer rather than being one.)
Collocations
personal trainer
|fitness trainer
|dog trainer
|corporate trainer
|professional trainer
|experienced trainer
Themes
work
|education
|sports
|animals
Examples
- She works as a personal trainer at the local gym.
- The company hired an external trainer to improve employees’ presentation skills.
- They brought in a dog trainer to help with their puppy’s behavior.
- The team’s new fitness trainer has changed their entire workout routine.
- As a corporate trainer, he spends most of his time running workshops for managers.
Learner examples
- My brother is a trainer at a big sports club.
- The trainer helped me use the machines in the gym.
- We paid a trainer to teach our dog to sit and stay.
- Her trainer told her to drink more water after exercise.
- The company trainer showed us how to use the new software.
Noun
A2
entity
2
sports or casual shoe
A soft, comfortable shoe with a rubber bottom that people wear for sport or in their free time. (In American English, this is usually called a 'sneaker'.)
Usage pattern:
a pair of trainers; to wear trainers
Common mistake:
Learners who study mostly American English may not realize that 'trainers' in British English means 'sneakers'. They sometimes say *'a trainers'* instead of 'a pair of trainers' when talking about one pair. Remember that the usual phrase is 'a pair of trainers', even though 'trainers' looks plural.
Synonyms
sneaker (The usual word in American English; strongly associated with casual style and youth culture.)
|
athletic shoe (More technical or general; used in product descriptions rather than everyday speech.)
Antonyms
dress shoes (Formal shoes worn with smart clothing, the opposite of casual trainers.)
|
high heels (A formal or fashion shoe type contrasted with flat, sporty trainers.)
Collocations
a pair of trainers
|running trainers
|old trainers
|white trainers
|wear trainers
|take off your trainers
Themes
clothing
|sports
|daily life
|daily_life
Examples
- He changed into trainers before going for a run.
- These trainers are really comfortable for walking long distances.
- School rules say we can only wear black trainers in the gym.
- Her white trainers got muddy after the football match.
- I need to buy new running trainers for the race next month.
Learner examples
- I put on my trainers and went to the park.
- Her trainers are old and have holes in them.
- Children often wear trainers to school.
- Please take off your trainers before you come inside.
- He bought a new pair of trainers yesterday.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
aircraft for pilot training
A special airplane that people use to learn how to fly before they fly bigger or faster planes.
Usage pattern:
a trainer is used to teach [pilots] basic flying skills
Common mistake:
Learners may assume 'trainer' always means a person or a shoe and not recognize this technical aviation meaning. In aviation news, the words around it (pilot, air force, jet, aircraft) usually make the meaning clear.
Synonyms
training aircraft (More formal and explicit; common in technical or military writing.)
Antonyms
frontline fighter (An operational combat aircraft used in real missions, contrasted with a trainer used only for learning.)
Collocations
jet trainer
|basic trainer
|advanced trainer
|military trainer
|two-seat trainer
|training on a trainer
Themes
transport
|military
|technology
|travel
|transportation
|education
Examples
- New pilots spend many hours in a basic trainer before flying combat jets.
- The air force ordered a fleet of advanced trainers to replace its ageing aircraft.
- The two-seat trainer allowed the instructor to take control if the student made a mistake.
Learner examples
- Student pilots first learn to fly in a small trainer.
- The air force uses a jet trainer for new pilots.
- The trainer has two seats, one for the teacher and one for the student.
Grammar
Dictionary form
trainer
IPA
GB/tɹˈeɪnɚ/
US/tɹˈeɪnɚ/
Syllables & stress
train - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (train)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: trainer
- Plural: trainers
Word family
Expressions
athletic trainer
1/æθlˈɛtɪk tɹˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
sports injury care professional
In American English, a trained professional who helps athletes prevent and treat sports injuries.
Examples
- The athletic trainer rushed onto the field when the player went down.
- She studied for years to become a certified athletic trainer.
corporate trainer
1/kˈɔɹpɚɪt tɹˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
trainer who teaches employees
A person who works for a company and teaches employees new skills for their jobs.
Examples
- She became a corporate trainer after working in sales for ten years.
- The corporate trainer led a workshop on communication skills.
dog trainer
1/dˈɔɡ tɹˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
person who trains dogs
A person who teaches dogs to follow commands and have good behavior.
Examples
- They hired a dog trainer to stop their puppy from jumping on guests.
- As a dog trainer, she specializes in helping rescue dogs adjust to new homes.
fitness trainer
1/fˈɪtnəs tɹˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
person who leads workouts
A person who helps people exercise correctly and stay fit, usually in a gym or class.
Examples
- The fitness trainer showed us how to stretch safely before running.
- He works as a fitness trainer at a community sports center.
horse trainer
1/hˈɔɹs tɹˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
person who trains horses
A person who trains horses, often for races or shows.
Examples
- The horse trainer spent months preparing the colt for its first race.
- She works as a horse trainer at a large racing stable.
pair of trainers
1/pˈɛɹ əv tɹˈeɪnɚz/
fixed phrase
one set of two trainers
Two matching trainer shoes that you wear together, one on each foot.
Examples
- She bought a new pair of trainers for school.
- These jeans go well with a simple pair of trainers.
personal trainer
1/pˈɚsənəl tɹˈeɪnɚ/
fixed phrase
one-to-one fitness trainer
A person whose job is to help one person at a time exercise, get stronger, or lose weight, usually in a gym.
Examples
- I hired a personal trainer to design a workout plan for me.
- Her personal trainer meets her at the gym three times a week.