gaiter

American  

[gey-ter] / ˈgeɪ tər /

noun

1. a covering of cloth or leather for the ankle and instep and sometimes also the lower leg, worn over the shoe or boot.

2. a cloth or leather shoe with elastic insertions at the sides.

3. an overshoe with a fabric top.

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gaiter British  

/ ˈɡeɪtə /

noun

1. a cloth or leather covering for the leg or ankle buttoned on one side and usually strapped under the foot

2. Also called: spat.  a similar covering extending from the ankle to the instep

3. a waterproof covering for the ankle worn by climbers and walkers to prevent snow, mud, or gravel entering over the top of the boot

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Other Word Forms

• gaiterless
  adjective

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

See Examples For:

gaiter

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

A neck gaiter protected his face from bugs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2023

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

That week, a patient in his 40s came in for a physical — he was high-risk and asthmatic — and his gaiter was pushed down when she walked into the exam room.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 9, 2020

When Edna knocked at Mademoiselle Reisz’s front room door and entered, she discovered that person standing beside the window, engaged in mending or patching an old prunella gaiter.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin