Shoes Definition: Pronunciation Tips and Engaging Exercises

It’s easier to define “shoes” when you see how native speakers use them in real sentences.

There aren’t many general “shoes” synonyms; however, you can name specific shoe types, like heels or trainers.

Related nouns: slippers boots sandals heels socks

Synonyms (contextual): footwear

Common collocations: leather shoes new shoes put on shoes

The meaning of “shoes” changes depending on the words that collocate with it.

With adjectives: cheap shoes expensive shoes tight shoes comfortable shoes

With verbs: take off shoes wear shoes buy shoes try on shoes clean shoes

With nouns (noun + noun): shoe store shoe size shoe box winter shoes

What do shoes mean in a figurative sense? The word doesn’t describe style or covering, but allows us to discuss other people’s feelings.

• In someone else’s shoes — seeing something from another person’s point of view.

  I’m not in his shoes, so I don’t know what he’s going through.

• As comfortable as an old shoe — refers to something familiar.

  My phone doesn’t look new, but it’s as comfortable as an old shoe. I don’t want to change it.

• Big shoes to fill — to be responsible for many things because someone before you did something well.

  Nobody knows this program as Jimmy knows. You have big shoes to fill as the new administrator.

Complete this test to determine whether you understand how to use the term shoes in different contexts. 

Learn how to spell “shoes” in other European languages to check whether it sounds similar to the English version.

How much do the most expensive shoes cost? What shoes are the most iconic in fiction? Let’s go beyond the description of “shoes” and discover some interesting facts.

• Cinderella’s shoes are the most iconic in the world of fiction.

  Cinderella became famous with only one pair of shoes. Her glass slippers inspired many movie makers and authors. Another female character, whose destiny depends on shoes, is Dorothy. Her slippers helped her come back home.

• The biggest collection of trainers includes 2,388 pairs.

  How many pairs of shoes do you need? Jordy Geller has collected more than 2,000 pairs. He stores them in their original boxes. According to Guinness World Records, the collection costs over $1 million.

• The oldest shoes are about 10,400 years old.

  Do you wear the same pair of shoes for two winters in a row and think they are old? A pair of sandals, found in Oregon, is believed to be 10,000 years old. However, it’s said that the shoes wouldn’t last if people actually wore them.

• The most expensive pair of shoes costs approximately $20 million.

  These shoes are made of gold, diamonds, and a meteorite. The designer, Antonio Vietri, was inspired by the look of Burj Khalifa. They must be heavy, so you wouldn’t decide to wear them daily.

Authors reflect on simple truths of life using the term “shoes.” However, the most inspirational quotes belong to designers who dedicate their lives to creating new footwear.