gaiter
Americannoun
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a covering of cloth or leather for the ankle and instep and sometimes also the lower leg, worn over the shoe or boot.
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a cloth or leather shoe with elastic insertions at the sides.
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an overshoe with a fabric top.
noun
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a cloth or leather covering for the leg or ankle buttoned on one side and usually strapped under the foot
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Also called: spat. a similar covering extending from the ankle to the instep
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a waterproof covering for the ankle worn by climbers and walkers to prevent snow, mud, or gravel entering over the top of the boot
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gaiter
1765–75; < French guêtre, Middle French guiestre, guestre, perhaps < Frankish *wrist, cognate with German Rist ankle, wrist. See wrist
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On their faces, they wear a stretchy fishing gaiter, usually topped with a hat, that almost completely obscures their faces.
From Slate ● Oct. 10, 2025
Additional items include gloves, a hat, neck gaiter and sunglasses.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 7, 2022
Wearing a periwinkle neck gaiter with a flower print and the black-and-red Team China uniform, she doubled over to catch her breath after crossing the finish line.
From New York Times ● Feb. 8, 2022
“Especially a day like today, where it’s cold out,” he said, with the top of his gaiter pulled down below his chin.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2020
The leg was straight, bent at the knee, and the foot was clad in a polished kid congress gaiter.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
