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noun B1 Intermediate

sandal

SAN-duhl

Sandal (noun) means an open shoe held onto the foot with straps, leaving the toes or much of the foot exposed. Example: “She kicked off her sandals as soon as she stepped onto the beach.”

noun
1
An open shoe held onto the foot with straps, leaving the toes or much of the foot exposed.
"She kicked off her sandals as soon as she stepped onto the beach."

How to use sandal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA light, open shoe held on with straps, typically worn in warm weather.

Common mistake

Despite the look-alike spelling, "sandal" has no real connection to "sand" — the resemblance is coincidental.

Common pairings
a pair of sandals strappy sandals

Word forms

sandaled past tense, sandalled past tense, sandals plural, sandals plural, sandals singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She kicked off her _____ as soon as she stepped onto the beach.

Etymology

From Old French sandale, ultimately from Ancient Greek sandalion, a diminutive of sandalon — despite the resemblance, it is not related to the word "sand."

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for sandal

See all rhymes for sandal →

Frequently asked questions

What does “sandal” mean?

The word “sandal” means an open shoe held onto the foot with straps, leaving the toes or much of the foot exposed. In plain terms, a light, open shoe held on with straps, typically worn in warm weather.

How do you pronounce “sandal”?

“Sandal” is pronounced SAN-duhl (/ˈsændəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “sandal” in a sentence?

Here is “sandal” used in a sentence: “She kicked off her sandals as soon as she stepped onto the beach.”

What part of speech is “sandal”?

“Sandal” is a noun.

Where does the word “sandal” come from?

The word “sandal” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French sandale, ultimately from Ancient Greek sandalion, a diminutive of sandalon — despite the resemblance, it is not related to the word "sand.".

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