shoe
Shoe (noun) means an outer covering for the foot, usually with a sturdy sole, that stops short of the ankle. Example: “She kicked off her shoes at the door.”
How to use shoe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFootwear that covers the foot but not the ankle, or the horseshoe fitted to a horse's hoof.
Word forms
shod past tense, shodden past tense, shoed past tense, shoes plural, shoon plural, shoen plural, Shoes plural, shoes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She kicked off her _____ at the door.
Etymology
From Old English sceoh, of uncertain deeper origin, possibly linked to a root meaning "to move quickly."
Related words
Rhymes for shoe
See all rhymes for shoe →Frequently asked questions
What does “shoe” mean?
The word “shoe” means an outer covering for the foot, usually with a sturdy sole, that stops short of the ankle. In plain terms, footwear that covers the foot but not the ankle, or the horseshoe fitted to a horse's hoof.
How do you pronounce “shoe”?
“Shoe” is pronounced SHOO (/ˈʃu/ in IPA).
How do you use “shoe” in a sentence?
Here is “shoe” used in a sentence: “She kicked off her shoes at the door.”
What is another word for “shoe”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shoe” include kick and calceate.
What part of speech is “shoe”?
Depending on how it is used, “shoe” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shoe” come from?
The word “shoe” comes from Old English. From Old English sceoh, of uncertain deeper origin, possibly linked to a root meaning "to move quickly.".
Is “shoe” a common word?
“Shoe” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “shoe” have?
“Shoe” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an outer covering for the foot, usually with a sturdy sole, that stops short of the ankle.
What is the difference between a "shoe" and a "boot"?
A "shoe" is an outer covering for the foot that stops short of the ankle. A "boot" extends over the ankle and sometimes up the leg. The main distinction is height: shoes end below the ankle, boots rise above it.
What is the difference between a "shoe" and a "sneaker" or "trainer"?
A "sneaker" (US) or "trainer" (UK) is a specific type of shoe with a soft, flexible sole made for sport or casual wear. "Shoe" is the general term that covers all footwear ending below the ankle, including formal styles.
What is the difference between a "shoe" and a "horseshoe"?
In everyday use, "shoe" means footwear for a person. A "horseshoe" is a curved metal plate nailed to a horse's hoof to protect it. The word "shoe" can refer to the horse's version, but usually needs context or the fuller word "horseshoe."