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

sock

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a vigorous or violent blow

also : punch entry 3 sense 3

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 you

—James Jones

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• hose
• stocking

Verb

• bang
• bash
• bat
• belt
• biff
• bludgeon
• bob
• bonk
• bop
• box
• bust
• clap
• clip
• clobber
• clock
• clout
• crack
• hammer
• hit
• knock
• nail
• paste
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slog
• slug
• smack
• smite
• strike
• swat
• swipe
• tag
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• whack
• whale
• zap

Noun (2)

• bang
• bash
• bat
• beat
• belt
• biff
• blow
• bop
• box
• buffet
• bust
• chop
• clap
• clip
• clout
• crack
• cuff
• dab
• douse [British]
• fillip
• hack
• haymaker
• hit
• hook
• knock
• larrup [dialect]
• lash
• lick
• pelt
• pick
• plump
• poke
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slug
• smack
• smash
• spank
• stinger
• stripe
• stroke
• swat
• swipe
• switch
• thud
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• welt
• whack
• wham
• whop
• whap

Example Sentences

Verb

kept socking the punching bag until he was exhausted

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

See More

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

See More

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