boot
boot
Boot (noun) means a sturdy shoe that covers the foot and part of the leg. Example: “These waterproof boots kept my feet dry through the muddy fields.”
noun
1
A sturdy shoe that covers the foot and part of the leg.
"These waterproof boots kept my feet dry through the muddy fields."
"He left one muddy boot by the door again."
"She pulled on her hiking boots before setting off."
2
The luggage storage compartment of a car (British English); called a "trunk" in American English.
"The boot was so full of luggage that it would not close."
"Open the boot and I will help you lift the pushchair in."
"He loaded the shopping bags into the boot."
3
A device clamped to a car's wheel to immobilize it, usually for unpaid fines (also called a wheel clamp).
"The council fitted a boot to the van after it was left on double yellow lines."
"Drivers must pay a fee before the parking officer will remove the boot."
"She came out to find a boot on her front tyre."
verb
1
To kick something or someone.
"She booted the door open because her hands were full of shopping."
"The toddler booted the cushion across the room and giggled."
"He booted the ball clear across the pitch."
2
To dismiss or eject someone.
"The manager booted two noisy customers out of the cafe."
"Anyone caught cheating will be booted off the course straight away."
"He was booted from the meeting after the argument."
3
To start up a computer or device.
"Press the power button and wait for the system to boot."
"The old computer takes ages to boot up in the morning."
"It takes a minute for the laptop to boot after a full shutdown."
How to use boot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sturdy shoe, the storage compartment of a car (UK), or, as a verb, to kick someone out or to start up a computer.
UK vs US
British English uses "boot" for a car's rear storage space; American English calls it the "trunk."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
boot up
boot someone out
the boot of the car
wheel boot
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like boot.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- boots
- Third person singular
- boots
- Past tense
- booted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
These waterproof _____ kept my feet dry through the muddy fields.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for boot
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include boot:
