boot

13 synonyms and 1 antonym for boot, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A sturdy shoe that covers the foot and part of the leg.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

bang charge rush kick

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

wellington trunk footwear kicking flush reboot

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

galosh buskin mukluk

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A sturdy shoe that covers the foot and part of the leg.

“These waterproof boots kept my feet dry through the muddy fields.”

wellington galosh trunk footwear bang kicking charge flush buskin mukluk rush kick

2. verb

To kick something or someone.

“She booted the door open because her hands were full of shopping.”

reboot

3. verb

To start up a computer or device.

“Press the power button and wait for the system to boot.”

Opposites

stop

How to use boot

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

boot up boot someone out the boot of the car wheel boot

Etymology

From Old French bote, "a high, thick shoe," of uncertain earlier origin. The computing sense of "boot" comes from "bootstrap" — the idea of a system pulling itself up "by its own bootstraps" to start running.

Full origin of boot →

Frequently asked questions

What does “boot” mean?

The word “boot” means a sturdy shoe that covers the foot and part of the leg. In plain terms, a sturdy shoe, the storage compartment of a car (UK), or, as a verb, to kick someone out or to start up a computer.

How do you pronounce “boot”?

“Boot” is pronounced boot (/but/ in IPA).

How do you use “boot” in a sentence?

Here is “boot” used in a sentence: “She pulled on her hiking boots before setting off.”

What is another word for “boot”?

Words with a similar meaning to “boot” include buskin and mukluk.

What part of speech is “boot”?

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

Where does the word “boot” come from?

The word “boot” comes from Old French. From Old French bote, "a high, thick shoe," of uncertain earlier origin. The computing sense of "boot" comes from "bootstrap" — the idea of a system pulling itself up "by its own bootstraps" to start running.

Is “boot” a common word?

“Boot” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “boot” have?

“Boot” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sturdy shoe that covers the foot and part of the leg.

What is the difference between boot and trunk when talking about a car?

Boot and trunk both name the luggage storage compartment of a car. Boot is the British English term and trunk is the American English equivalent, so the choice depends on which variety of English you are using.

What is the difference between a boot and a shoe?

A boot is a sturdy type of footwear that covers the foot and part of the leg, whereas a shoe generally stops at or below the ankle. The extra coverage up the leg is what distinguishes a boot from an ordinary shoe.

Why does boot mean both footwear and part of a car?

In everyday English, boot has two distinct senses: a sturdy shoe covering the foot and part of the leg, and, in British English, the luggage compartment of a car. Context makes clear which is meant, as the two uses are unrelated in meaning.

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Nearby words

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