sock

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈsäk 

plural socks

1

archaic : a low shoe or slipper

2

also plural sox ˈsäks  : 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

ˈsä-kləs 

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

see also:

sock it to

sock

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a vigorous or violent blow

also : punch entry 3 sense 3

Synonyms of sock

Noun (1)

• stocking

Verb

• knock
• slap
• punch
• hit
• smack
• clap
• clip
• slam
• bang
• whack
• strike
• pound
• bat
• box
• swipe
• crack

Noun (2)

• blow
• punch
• thump
• slap
• swipe
• pound
• knock
• stroke
• thud
• whack
• hit
• lick
• poke
• spank
• smack
• clip
• cuff
• hook
• bang
• beat
• slam
• stripe

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

While Survivor has plenty of surprising rules for contestants, socks are a small creature comfort that’s allowed. —Brittany Anas, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026

Photos of several clothing items were show to the jury, including Athena’s socks and underwear and her blue jeans, which were embroidered with pink flowers on the front pockets. —Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026

Verb

Evening rush-hour commuters — who thought winter was over — felt foolish after the city was socked with a record-breaking spring snowfall. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

Labin details the elaborate process of elimination that determines which socks to bring to the festival each year. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing sock

• ankle sock
• crew sock
• knee sock
• put a sock in it
• sock away
• sock hop
• sock in
• sock it to
• sock puppet
• tube sock
• wind sock

Rhymes for sock

• balk
• baulk
• bloc
• bock
• broch
• brock
• calk
• caulk
• chalk
• chock
• clock
• cock

Kids Definition

sock

1 of 3 noun

ˈsäk 

plural socks also sox ˈsäks 

: 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