shoehorn
2 synonyms for shoehorn, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A smooth, curved tool used to help slide your heel into a shoe.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use shoehorn
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a long shoehorn
shoehorn something into
shoehorn in
shoehorned into a schedule
The verb is figurative and often suggests the fit is awkward or forced.
Etymology
The word is a compound formed in English from shoe and horn.
Full origin of shoehorn →Frequently asked questions
What is a shoehorn used for?
A shoehorn is a smooth tool that helps you get your foot into a shoe. You put it behind your heel and slide the heel in after your toes.
What does it mean to shoehorn something in?
It means to force something into a space or schedule where it hardly fits. It can also mean including something awkwardly where it does not really belong.
Is shoehorn one word or two?
Shoehorn is the usual spelling, though shoe horn is also given as an alternative form. The verb is also sometimes written shoe-horn.
