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

see also:

knock one's socks off

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

Swift has embraced Le Silla shoe styles in the past, including the brand’s Eva thigh-high boots and Gilda mesh-sock sandals. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026

The lightweight compression socks are highly recommended by flight attendants, pilots, marathoners, and nurses who spend 12-hour shifts making rounds across hard hospital floors. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

Tailored trousers kept the outfit polished, while paisley socks beneath leather wedge pumps gave it a tongue-in-cheek finish. — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026

Another bout of brutal heat and energy-sapping humidity socked Southern California on Thursday, continuing what has been a remarkably muggy summer that’s brought wildfires, coastal erosion, record-breaking temperatures and general misery. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 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