gaiter

noun

gai·​ter ˈgā-tər 

plural gaiters

1

: a cloth or leather leg covering reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee

2

a

: an overshoe with fabric upper

b

: an ankle-high shoe with elastic gores in the sides

3

: a fabric covering in the form of a closed loop worn around the neck that can extend to cover the lower part of the face : neck gaiter

If associates wish to wear their own mask or personal covering, it must be clean and cover their nose and mouth. Alternatives might include a scarf, bandana or a gaiter.

—Zak Failla

We were masked with bandannas and hats and ski gaiters pulled up past our noses …

—Kristen Millares Young

Examples of gaiter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel helps guests prepare for silverback sightings by providing complimentary gaiters, backpacks and hats; packing lunch for the outing; and leaving walking sticks as turndown amenities. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

But Iredell Sheriff Darren Campbell said balaclavas and gaiters, a circular cloth worn around the neck, have been allowed for years and are a matter of safety. —Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2025

And the Mafate 5 is the first HOKA trail runner that has gaiter-compatible features. —Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 1 Aug. 2025

But this pair is made for the trails, with a grippy outsole, a protective upper, and even the ability to attach a gaiter. —Lauren Wingenroth, SELF, 25 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French guêtre, going back to Middle French guiestres (plural), probably going back to a metathetical variant of Old Low Franconian *wrist- "ankle joint," going back to Germanic *wrih-sti- (whence Middle High German rist, riste "wrist or ankle joint," Old English wrist "wrist joint") — more at wrist

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gaiter

• neck gaiter

Rhymes for gaiter

• cater
• crater
• frater
• freighter
• gator
• grater
• greater
• hater
• krater
• later
• plater
• prater

Kids Definition

gaiter

noun

gai·​ter ˈgāt-ər 

: a leg covering reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee