sock

1 of 3

noun (1)

plural socks
1
archaic : a low shoe or slipper
2
also plural sox ˈsäks How to pronounce sock (audio) : a knitted or woven covering for the foot usually worn under shoes and extending above the ankle and sometimes to the knee
3
a
: a shoe worn by actors in Greek and Roman comedy
b
: comic drama
sockless adjective

sock

2 of 3

verb

socked; socking; socks

transitive verb

: to hit, strike, or apply forcefully
sock a home run
an area socked by a blizzard

intransitive verb

: to deliver a blow : hit

sock

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a vigorous or violent blow
Phrases
sock it to
slang
: to subject to or as if to a vigorous assault
they may let you off the first time … but the second time they'll sock it to youJames Jones

Examples of sock in a Sentence

Verb kept socking the punching bag until he was exhausted
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This three-piece pajama set includes a matching pair of socks and works great as Christmas morning PJs or as a festive gift. Erika Reals, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023 These are only 60 percent merino, but that's pretty good for socks. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023 Anyone will love cozy socks, blankets, and cardigans from Barefoot Dreams. Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Nov. 2023 Bombas Women's Everyday Compression Socks $28 $23 Compression socks have been longtime airplane travel necessities for me. Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2023 Debuted during the label’s fall 2023 presentation in Paris, Louis Vuitton sent below-the-knee boots down the catwalk that are constructed to appear like a leg wearing white ribbed socks and black pumps, both of which have been hand-painted onto the upper. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023 Happy Socks x Wonka Gift Set Happy Socks enters the doors of the magical chocolate factory with this limited-edition three-piece set of socks, each designed with different colorful graphics inspired the book and film. Anna Tingley, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023 He was stripped to his boxers, a T-shirt and socks before being placed in a cell alone. Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 16 Nov. 2023 The shoes will run $70 to $75 per pair, while the socks will cost you $20. Bychris Morris, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2023
Verb
Knowing how to navigate the system can make all the difference to patients socked with giant medical bills. Maya Miller, ProPublica, 16 Nov. 2023 In the 11th inning, Freese stepped to the plate again, socking a walkoff home run that drove Busch Stadium into delirium and forced Game 7. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2023 And earlier this month, against Oakland’s Kirby Snead, Heyward socked his first home run against a lefty since May 2021. Scott Miller, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2023 The California Public Utilities Commission has socked San Diego Community Power with more than $1 million in penalties in a dispute over acquiring backup energy resources. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Aug. 2023 Millennials and Gen Z socking more money away for retirement Despite 401(k) holders taking cash out of their accounts at an increasing rate, BofA said on Tuesday that the average contribution rate had remained steady at 6.5% of income. Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2023 But then she got socked with a triple whammy of disasters. Dave Lieber, Dallas News, 17 July 2023 Google-parent company Alphabet was socked with a one-two punch of downgrades from Wall Street analysts this week, as UBS AG and Bernstein both warned of the near-term threat that generative AI poses to Google’s lucrative search advertising business. Stephen Pastis, Fortune, 28 June 2023 Health officials encouraged people to wear long sleeves, pants, and socks outdoors or consider rescheduling outdoor activities during those hours in high-risk areas. Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 7 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English socke, from Old English socc, from Latin soccus

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Verb

circa 1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sock was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sock

Cite this Entry

“Sock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sock. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

sock

1 of 3 noun
plural socks also sox ˈsäks How to pronounce sock (audio)
: a knitted or woven covering for the foot usually extending above the ankle and sometimes to the knee

sock

2 of 3 verb
: to hit, strike, or apply forcefully : deliver a blow

sock

3 of 3 noun
: a violent blow : punch
Etymology

Noun

Old English socc "a low shoe or slipper," from Latin soccus (same meaning)

Verb

origin unknown

More from Merriam-Webster on sock

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