A1 noun Neutral #2,751 most common

shoe

/ʃuː/

A shoe is a piece of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. It usually consists of a sole and a covering made of leather, cloth, or synthetic material.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I always wear a comfortable shoe when I go for a walk in the park.

I always wear a comfortable shoe when I go for a walk in the park.

2

He arrived at the banquet wearing a polished black leather shoe on each foot.

He arrived at the banquet wearing a polished black leather shoe on each foot.

3

Check out that cool shoe you bought yesterday!

Check out that cool shoe you bought yesterday!

Word Family

Noun
shoe
Verb
shoe
Adjective
shoeless
Related
shoelace
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'sh' sound in 'shoe' as the sound of your feet 'shuffing' across the floor.

Quick Quiz

Before you go running, make sure you tie your ___.

Correct!

The correct answer is: shoes

Examples

1

I always wear a comfortable shoe when I go for a walk in the park.

everyday

I always wear a comfortable shoe when I go for a walk in the park.

2

He arrived at the banquet wearing a polished black leather shoe on each foot.

formal

He arrived at the banquet wearing a polished black leather shoe on each foot.

3

Check out that cool shoe you bought yesterday!

informal

Check out that cool shoe you bought yesterday!

4

The researchers analyzed the friction levels of the athletic shoe during high-speed movement.

academic

The researchers analyzed the friction levels of the athletic shoe during high-speed movement.

5

The company specializes in the wholesale distribution of the safety shoe for industrial workers.

business

The company specializes in the wholesale distribution of the safety shoe for industrial workers.

Word Family

Noun
shoe
Verb
shoe
Adjective
shoeless
Related
shoelace

Common Collocations

running shoes footwear designed for jogging or racing
tie your shoes to secure the laces of your footwear
a pair of shoes two matching pieces of footwear
take off shoes to remove footwear from the feet
tennis shoes lightweight athletic footwear

Common Phrases

to be in someone else's shoes

to imagine yourself in another person's situation

the shoe is on the other foot

the situation has changed so that it is now the opposite of what it was

if the shoe fits, wear it

if a description applies to you, you should accept it

Often Confused With

shoe vs show

A 'show' is a performance or display, whereas a 'shoe' is something you wear on your foot.

shoe vs socks

Socks are soft garments worn inside shoes, whereas shoes have hard soles for protection.

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Usage Notes

The word 'shoe' refers to a single item, but since people usually wear two, the plural 'shoes' is much more common. In a sports context, specific types like 'cleats' or 'sneakers' are often used instead of the general term.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget that 'shoes' is a countable noun and should use 'a pair of shoes' rather than 'a shoes' or just 'shoes' when referring to the set.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'sh' sound in 'shoe' as the sound of your feet 'shuffing' across the floor.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old English word 'scōh', which comes from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'covering'.

Grammar Patterns

plural: shoes countable noun used with the classifier 'pair of'
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Cultural Context

In many Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering a home to keep the floors clean.

Quick Quiz

Before you go running, make sure you tie your ___.

Correct!

The correct answer is: shoes

Related Phrases

More Sports words

soccer

A1

Soccer is a team sport played with a round ball where two teams of eleven players try to kick the ball into the opposing team's goal. It is the most popular sport in the world and is played on a rectangular grass or turf field.

golf

A1

Golf is an outdoor sport played on a large grass course using various metal or wooden clubs to hit a small white ball. The objective is to hit the ball into a series of small holes in as few strokes as possible.

skiing

A1

Skiing is the sport or activity of moving over snow on skis, which are long, narrow pieces of wood, metal, or plastic. It is a popular winter activity performed for recreation or in professional competitions on mountains and hills.

net

A1

A net is a piece of material made from threads or strings tied together with many small holes in it. In sports, it is used to catch a ball or birdie, such as in tennis or soccer, to indicate a point has been scored or to divide a court.

glove

A1

A glove is a piece of clothing that covers your hand and wrist to keep it warm or protect it. Each finger usually has its own separate part, unlike a mitten.

jersey

A1

A jersey is a knitted shirt worn by members of a sports team, usually featuring a player's number and name. It also refers to a soft, stretchy sweater or pullover made from wool or cotton fabric.

socks

A1

A piece of clothing made of soft material that you wear on your foot inside your shoe. They are usually sold and worn in pairs to keep your feet warm, dry, or comfortable during physical activities.

equipment

A1

Equipment refers to the set of tools, clothing, or objects that you need for a specific activity or purpose. In a sports context, it includes things like balls, rackets, helmets, and nets required to play the game.

gear

A1

Gear refers to the clothes and equipment used for a specific activity, especially sports or hobbies. It is usually an uncountable noun that describes the collection of things you need to participate in an event.

stadium

A1

A stadium is a large building with an open area in the center where sports or concerts happen. It has many rows of seats for people to sit and watch the event.

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