shoe
shoe
Pronunciation
shoe: /ʃuː/
One syllable:
/ʃ/ - voiceless palato-alveolar sibilant (like the "sh" in "ship")
/uː/ - close back rounded vowel (like the "oo" in "moon")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: shoe
Plural Noun: shoes
Verb (base form): shoe
Verb (third person singular present): shoes
Verb (present participle): shoeing
Verb (past tense/past participle): shod (archaic or specialized, typically used for horses)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: An outer covering for the human foot, typically made of leather, canvas, or other durable material, and worn for protection and comfort. It usually extends up to or over the ankle and is fastened with laces, buckles, or other closures.
Synonyms: footwear, boot, slipper, sneaker, sandal
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for "shoe" as a noun, as it refers to a specific type of clothing. One might consider "barefoot" as a conceptual opposite to wearing shoes.)
Definition: A U-shaped piece of metal, often iron, nailed to the hooves of a horse or other equid to protect them from wear and injury.
Synonyms: horseshoe, plate
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Verb
Definition: To fit or provide with shoes. This definition is primarily used in a specialized context, particularly for horses.
Example: The farrier will shoe the horse this afternoon.
Synonyms: shod (past tense), outfit, equip
Antonyms: unshoe, unshod
Examples of Use
Books:
"He carefully untied the laces of his worn hiking shoe and set it beside the tent flap." (From Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens)
"In The Devil Wears Prada, Andrea Sachs finds herself in a world where designer shoes are not just footwear, but a symbol of status and power." (Description of The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger)
Newspapers:
"Sales of athletic shoes soared last quarter, driven by new product launches and increased interest in fitness." ( The Wall Street Journal)
"A single discarded shoe was all that remained at the scene of the accident, a grim reminder of the chaos." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"The article offers tips on how to choose the right running shoe for your foot type and running style." (RunnersWorld.com)
"Experts weigh in on the trend of minimalist shoes and their impact on foot health." (Healthline.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the animated film Puss in Boots, the titular character is famous for his swashbuckling adventures and, of course, his signature boots, which are a type of shoe. (Released October 2011)
Television Series: "She kicked off her high-heeled shoes after a long day at the office in a scene from Suits." (USA Network, August 2018)
Music: The song "Blue Suede Shoes" by Elvis Presley famously celebrates a specific type of shoe. (Released September 1956)
Video Games: Players in the game Grand Theft Auto V can customize their character's appearance, including various types of shoes. (Released September 2013)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to buy a new pair of shoes for the wedding next month." (Heard in casual conversation)
"My dog chewed up my favorite shoe again!" (Common complaint among pet owners)
"If the shoe fits, wear it." (Common idiom, implying that if something is true or appropriate, one should accept it.)
10 Quotes Using Shoe
"If the shoe fits, wear it." (Common Proverb)
"A woman with good shoes is never ugly." (Coco Chanel)
"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results. And that's not what I'm about. I want to leave everything I have on the court, or in the field, or whatever it is, and I want to be able to look in the mirror and know that I did everything I could to be successful. That’s what I’m about. And if the shoe fits, then that’s what I’m about." (Michael Jordan, attributed)
"Don't throw your old shoes out 'til you get new ones." (Common saying, often attributed to various sources)
"For every bad shoe, there's a good one." (Attributed to Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City)
"You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes. Too many women think that they are unimportant, but the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet." (Christian Dior)
"I always felt that I was a hit and a miss. I was always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Until I found my shoe. Then I found my place." (Attributed to Cinderella)
"My advice is, never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Take time by the forelock. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. If the shoe fits, wear it." (Charles Dickens, David Copperfield)
"You know, you can learn a lot about a person by their shoes." (Forrest Gump, Forrest Gump)
"Walk a mile in someone else's shoes." (Common idiom)
Etymology
The word "shoe" has a long history, tracing its roots back to Old English.
Its journey begins with the Old English word "scōh" (pronounced roughly like "shoh"), which referred to an "outer covering for the human foot." This original meaning is very close to how we understand "shoe" today, signifying a piece of footwear designed for protection and comfort.
From "scōh," the word evolved into "scho" or "sho" in Middle English, eventually becoming the "shoe" we use now. This word is part of a larger family of Germanic words, with similar terms found in languages like German (Schuh) and Old Norse (skór), all pointing to the common concept of footwear.
While its ultimate origin before Proto-Germanic is a bit fuzzy, some theories connect it to ancient words that meant something like "to move quickly" or "to cover," suggesting the early purpose of shoes was either to help people move faster or to simply cover and protect their feet.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Shoe
To walk a mile in someone else's shoes: To understand another person's experiences and challenges by imagining oneself in their situation.
If the shoe fits, wear it: If something is true or appropriate, accept it.
To be in someone's shoes: To be in someone else's situation or position, often referring to their difficulties.
To step into someone's shoes: To take over someone's job, role, or position.
To shake in one's shoes: To tremble with fear or nervousness.
The shoe is on the other foot: A situation has reversed, and the person who was previously at a disadvantage is now in a position of power or advantage.
Dead man's shoes: A position or inheritance that one can only acquire after the death of the previous holder.
To drop the other shoe: To wait for an inevitable, usually unpleasant, event to happen after an initial event has occurred.
No two feet are alike, so no two shoes are alike: (Lesser-known) Emphasizes individuality and uniqueness.
He's as comfortable as an old shoe: (Lesser-known) Describes someone who is very relaxed, familiar, and easy-going.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of shoe from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
