bootblack

[boot-blak]

noun

a person who shines shoes and boots for a living.

Nearby words

Origin of bootblack

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; boot¹ + black

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bootblack

After leaving the bootblack Ralph hardly knew what to do with himself.
The Young Bridge-Tender|Arthur M. Winfield
Is not an opinion, if correct, as good coming from a bootblack as from a Royal Academician?
The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol 2 (of 2)|Harry Furniss
"A bootblack is a nice playmate," said Guy, with his usual sneer.
Hector's Inheritance|Horatio Alger
"I am not ashamed of having been a bootblack," said our hero, calmly.
Tom, The Bootblack|Horatio Alger

"Good morning, Mike," said Rodney, as the bootblack was brushing off a customer.
Cast Upon the Breakers|Horatio Alger

British Dictionary definitions for bootblack

bootblack

noun

mainly US another word for shoeblack

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012