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

Noun (1) black socks to go with black pants and shoes Verb kept socking the punching bag until he was exhausted Noun (2) a wiseacre who deserves a good sock in the face
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Darn Tough Socks provide a great solution to avoid cold feet with these comfortable and cozy Merino wool boot socks. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2024 Some booties are cut loose, while others hug like a sock and can be heeled or flat. Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2024
Verb
The spike in costs sometimes leads people to forego insurance altogether, with some Florida residents telling CBS Miami that they've been socked with rates reaching $20,000 per year. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2024 The announcement came four days after a Texas Senate hearing where Republicans and Democrats were united in their resolve to ensure customers’ weren’t socked with higher electric bills. Bethany Blankley | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sock 

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 14 Oct. 2024.

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

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