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noun A2 Elementary Uncommon

sock

sok

Sock (noun) means a knitted covering for the foot and lower leg, worn inside a shoe. Example: “He pulled on a fresh pair of socks before his run.”

noun
1
A knitted covering for the foot and lower leg, worn inside a shoe.
"He pulled on a fresh pair of socks before his run."
verb
1
To hit someone hard.
"He socked his brother in the arm for teasing him."

How to Use Sock

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA piece of clothing for the foot, or, informally, to punch someone.

Common pairings
pair of socks sock someone in the jaw

Word Forms

socked past tense, socks plural, socks plural, socks singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He pulled on a fresh pair of _____ before his run.

Etymology

The clothing sense comes from Old English socc, from Latin soccus (a type of light shoe); the "hit" sense is a separate, unrelated word imitating the sound of a punch.

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for sock

See all rhymes for sock →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “sock” mean?

The word “sock” means a knitted covering for the foot and lower leg, worn inside a shoe. In plain terms, a piece of clothing for the foot, or, informally, to punch someone.

How do you pronounce “sock”?

“Sock” is pronounced sok (/sɑk/ in IPA).

How do you use “sock” in a sentence?

Here is “sock” used in a sentence: “He pulled on a fresh pair of socks before his run.”

What part of speech is “sock”?

Depending on how it is used, “sock” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “sock” come from?

The word “sock” comes from Latin. The clothing sense comes from Old English socc, from Latin soccus (a type of light shoe); the "hit" sense is a separate, unrelated word imitating the sound of a punch.

Is “sock” a common word?

“Sock” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “sock” have?

“Sock” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a knitted covering for the foot and lower leg, worn inside a shoe.

What is the difference between the noun "sock" and the verb "sock"?

As a noun, a sock is a knitted covering for the foot and lower leg worn inside a shoe. As a verb, "to sock" someone means to hit them hard, an informal usage unrelated to the clothing item.

Is "sock" as a verb formal or informal?

The verb "sock," meaning to hit someone hard, is informal and common in casual speech rather than formal writing.

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