tap shoe
noun
plural tap shoes
: a shoe for tap-dancing that typically has a sole and heel to which metal taps have been attached
Unlike Edie, Eddie has never put his toes in a tap shoe or ballet slipper.—
Nancy A. Nruhling
Nancy A. NruhlingExamples of tap shoe in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If the tap shoe fits … As the 1970s passed and Davis’ social life increasingly revolved around booze and drugs, Sinatra couldn’t bear to see his old friend so dissipated, and cut off contact.
—Alex Bhattacharji, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2024
So put on a fresh pair of tap shoes, get your costume change ready, and enjoy every minute of it.
—Ben Zauzmer, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2024
There’s also a head-spinning number of high-flying and extremely athletic dance scenes — some with drums and veils, some with tap shoes, some with scimitars and some with dinner trays that hide pop-up surprises.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
The brothers’ tap shoes from that scene are on display as part of the exhibition.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024
Once the tap shoes come out, even the most credulous viewer has to catch on.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2024
Standing beside him is dancer Melinda Sullivan, who soon strikes the glam metal of her tap shoes on a 27-by-35-inch piece of wood, providing a steady, playful metronome alongside the melodica.
—Brynn Shiovitz, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2023
Set to an upbeat tune in the key of Kander and Ebb, the song climaxes in a dance routine with trash can lids for tap shoes.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023
Sport or recreational equipment like ballet and tap shoes, cleats, gloves, life preservers, mouth guards, roller and ice skates, ski boots, wetsuits and more.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 28 July 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alex Bhattacharji, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2024
So put on a fresh pair of tap shoes, get your costume change ready, and enjoy every minute of it.
—Ben Zauzmer, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2024
There’s also a head-spinning number of high-flying and extremely athletic dance scenes — some with drums and veils, some with tap shoes, some with scimitars and some with dinner trays that hide pop-up surprises.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
The brothers’ tap shoes from that scene are on display as part of the exhibition.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024
Once the tap shoes come out, even the most credulous viewer has to catch on.
—Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2024
Standing beside him is dancer Melinda Sullivan, who soon strikes the glam metal of her tap shoes on a 27-by-35-inch piece of wood, providing a steady, playful metronome alongside the melodica.
—Brynn Shiovitz, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2023
Set to an upbeat tune in the key of Kander and Ebb, the song climaxes in a dance routine with trash can lids for tap shoes.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023
Sport or recreational equipment like ballet and tap shoes, cleats, gloves, life preservers, mouth guards, roller and ice skates, ski boots, wetsuits and more.
—Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 28 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Tap shoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tap%20shoe. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share