shoe

1 of 2

noun

ˈshü 

plural shoes

1

a

: an outer covering for the human foot typically having a thick or stiff sole with an attached heel and an upper part of lighter material (such as leather)

b

: a metal plate or rim for the hoof of an animal

2

: something resembling a shoe in function or placement

3

shoes plural : another's place, function, or viewpoint

steps from assistant stage manager into the star's shoes

—Steven Fuller

4

: a device that slows, stops, or controls the motion of an object

especially : the part of a brake that presses on the brake drum

5

a

: any of various devices that are inserted in or run along a track or groove to guide a movement, provide a contact or friction grip, or protect against wear, damage, or slipping

b

: a device (such as a clip or track) on a camera that permits attachment of an accessory item (such as a flash unit)

6

: a dealing box designed to hold several decks of playing cards

shoeless adjective

shoe

2 of 2

verb

shod ˈshäd  also shoed ˈshüd  ; shoeing ˈshü-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with a shoe

2

: to cover for protection, strength, or ornament

Synonyms

Noun

• perspective
• viewpoint
• outlook
• point of view
• opinion

Examples of shoe in a Sentence

Noun

She bought a pair of shoes.

He took off his shoes and socks.

I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now.

Anyone in her shoes would have done the same thing.

Verb

The blacksmith shod the horse.

The horse was taken to be shod.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To help prevent developing toenail fungus, consider soaking your feet to soften the nails, ask for help if needed, and wear roomy shoes. —Katlein Franca, Health, 4 July 2025

Pavement is harder on shoes than hardwood, so that resistance to wear and tear is key for outdoor basketball shoes, Dr. Bourassa says. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 4 July 2025

Verb

What makes these $65 Skechers shoes so comfortable is their patented Arch Fit insole system. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 25 June 2025

The previous year’s display was a corset installation from Vivienne Westwood along with archival Manolo Blahnik shoes. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English shoo, from Old English scōh; akin to Old High German scuoh shoe

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shoe

• boat shoe
• court shoe
• deck shoe
• if the shoe fits
• if the shoe fits, wear it
• old-shoe
• platform shoe
• saddle shoe
• shoe box
• shoe-leather
• shoe tree
• soft-shoe
• tap shoe
• tennis shoe
• the shoe is on the other foot
• training shoe
• white-shoe

Rhymes for shoe

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

shoe

1 of 2 noun

ˈshü 

1

a

: an outer covering for the human foot usually having a thick and somewhat stiff sole and heel and a lighter upper part

b

: horseshoe sense 1

2

plural : another's place or point of view

suppose you were in your friend's shoes

3

: the part of a brake that presses on the wheel of a vehicle

shoe

2 of 2 verb

shod ˈshäd  also shoed ˈshüd  ; shoeing ˈshü-iŋ 

: to put a shoe on : furnish with shoes

especially : to put a shoe or shoes on a horse