sandal

noun

san·​dal ˈsan-dᵊl 

1

: a shoe consisting of a sole strapped to the foot

2

: a low-cut shoe that fastens by an ankle strap

3

: a strap to hold on a slipper or low shoe

4

: a rubber overshoe cut very low

sandaled adjective

or less commonly sandalled

ˈsan-dᵊld 

Examples of sandal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The shoe has moved fluidly through fashion eras, first embraced as a practical but polished pump and later evolving into an entire family of silhouettes — including the Varina flat introduced in 2007, the Vanna ballet flat style, slingbacks, mary janes and sandal iterations. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025

Wear sandals or footwear when walking around public pools, showers, or locker rooms. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Oct. 2025

The sandal is the oldest artifact so far, but the study team has yet to carbon-date other items, Margalida said. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025

Reformation’s sleeveless, knitted take, meanwhile, is the perfect transitional shape to wear with knee-high boots and a leather jacket in the fall, then a sleek, kitten-heel sandal come summer. —Kristina Rutkowski, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sandalium, from Greek sandalion, diminutive of sandalon sandal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sandal

• candle
• handle
• scandal
• vandal
• panhandle

Kids Definition

sandal

noun

san·​dal ˈsan-dᵊl 

: a shoe consisting of a sole strapped to the foot