shoe

1 of 2

noun

plural shoes
1
a
: an outer covering for the human foot typically having a thick or stiff sole with an attached heel and an upper part of lighter material (such as leather)
b
: a metal plate or rim for the hoof of an animal
2
: something resembling a shoe in function or placement
3
shoes plural : another's place, function, or viewpoint
steps from assistant stage manager into the star's shoesSteven Fuller
4
: a device that slows, stops, or controls the motion of an object
especially : the part of a brake that presses on the brake drum
5
a
: any of various devices that are inserted in or run along a track or groove to guide a movement, provide a contact or friction grip, or protect against wear, damage, or slipping
b
: a device (such as a clip or track) on a camera that permits attachment of an accessory item (such as a flash unit)
6
: a dealing box designed to hold several decks of playing cards
shoeless adjective

shoe

2 of 2

verb

shod ˈshäd How to pronounce shoe (audio) also shoed ˈshüd How to pronounce shoe (audio) ; shoeing ˈshü-iŋ How to pronounce shoe (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to furnish with a shoe
2
: to cover for protection, strength, or ornament

Examples of shoe in a Sentence

Noun She bought a pair of shoes. He took off his shoes and socks. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now. Anyone in her shoes would have done the same thing. Verb The blacksmith shod the horse. The horse was taken to be shod.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Right now, it’s filled with cute cardigans, woven bags, and comfy ballet flats, a shoe that celebs like Katie Holmes and Jennifer Lopez have been spotted wearing this year. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024 From comfortable shoes to a waterproof phone case, here are 17 cruise essentials in my Amazon cart that would come in handy on your next trip, too. Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024 For 414 Day this year, Adidas released a limited-edition shoe, that pays homage to Shake’s hometown. Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024 Weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes is highly recommended. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Apr. 2024 For example, an American house accumulates an average of 300,000 objects, with more money spent each year on shoes, jewelery and clothes than on higher education. Ana Morales, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2024 Thankfully Torres notices shoes covered in roof tar under the bed and reaches for his own gun to bring her in. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024 Jennifer Lopez has previously revealed herself to be a fan of comfortable shoes, such as UGG boots. Ana Serrano, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2024 Available in sizes 6 through 11, the shoes have a cushioned midsole, a rubber outsole, and silver logo detailing at the sides and tongue. Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Verb
Keep scrolling to shop more Stuart Weitzman shoes on sale at Rue La La now. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 19 Dec. 2023 Chic Ballet Flats Maison Margiela leather Mary Jane shoes Margiela Mary Janes? Maia Torres, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023 Other anvils are designed for farriers–men and women who shoe horses and do hoof-care. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023 It’s already claimed the number spot on the site’s fashion waist packs new releases chart and is popular on the clothing, jewelry, and shoe new releases chart. Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 23 July 2023 Shop more Sam Edelman shoes for all your spring and summer style needs below. Buy It! Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 16 June 2023 His clock had been set that way, from decades spent shoeing horses at sunrise. Katie Engelhart, New York Times, 9 May 2023 Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant has worn Nike basketball shoes his entire career. Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2023 Losing a powerful asset like that is critical, regardless of who is shoed in to replace him. Dallas News, 26 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shoe.' 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

Middle English shoo, from Old English scōh; akin to Old High German scuoh shoe

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoe was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near shoe

Cite this Entry

“Shoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoe. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

shoe

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: an outer covering for the human foot usually having a thick and somewhat stiff sole and heel and a lighter upper part
2
plural : another's place or point of view
suppose you were in your friend's shoes
3
: the part of a brake that presses on the wheel of a vehicle

shoe

2 of 2 verb
shod ˈshäd How to pronounce shoe (audio) also shoed ˈshüd How to pronounce shoe (audio) ; shoeing ˈshü-iŋ How to pronounce shoe (audio)
: to put a shoe on : furnish with shoes
especially : to put a shoe or shoes on a horse

More from Merriam-Webster on shoe

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