moccasin

noun

moc·​ca·​sin ˈmä-kə-sən 

1

a

: a soft leather heelless shoe or boot with the sole brought up the sides of the foot and over the toes where it is joined with a puckered seam to a U-shaped piece lying on top of the foot

b

: a regular shoe having a seam on the forepart of the vamp imitating the seam of a moccasin

2

a

: water moccasin

b

: a snake (as of the genus Gloydius) resembling a water moccasin

moccasined

ˈmä-kə-sənd 

adjective

Examples of moccasin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

She was last seen wearing a mid-calf-length black dress with white polka dots and blue and grey moccasins. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

These shoes are also covered in luxurious suede but have charming cutout and stitch detailing to set them apart from other moccasins and loafers in your closet. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026

This has manifested in a few different ways, from classically sleek loafer styles in more pliable fabrics to a hybrid that looks like a cross between boat shoes and moccasins. — Mayte Salido, Glamour, 8 Sep. 2026

Bridging two genres, the shoe is presented as a moccasin-ballerina — or a ballet loafer. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian mockasin

First Known Use

circa 1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing moccasin

• cottonmouth moccasin
• moccasin flower
• water moccasin

Kids Definition

moccasin

noun

moc·​ca·​sin ˈmäk-ə-sən 

1

a

: a soft leather shoe without a heel and with the sole and sides made of one piece

b

: a similar shoe with a separate sole

2

: water moccasin

Medical Definition

moccasin

noun

moc·​ca·​sin ˈmäk-ə-sən 

1

: water moccasin

2

: a snake (as of the genus Gloydius) resembling a water moccasin