loafer

¹ American  

[loh-fer] / ˈloʊ fər /

noun

1. a person who loafs; lazy person; idler.

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Loafer ² American  

[loh-fer] / ˈloʊ fər /

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a moccasinlike slip-on shoe.

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loafer British  

/ ˈləʊfə /

noun

1. a person who avoids work; idler

2. a moccasin-like shoe for casual wear

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Other Word Forms

• loaferish adjective

Etymology

Origin of loafer

1820–30, perhaps short for *landloafer vagabond; compare German (obsolete) Landläufer, Dutch landloper; see landloper

Explanation

If you're a loafer, you avoid working whenever possible, preferring to lounge around relaxing instead. And, if you're too lazy to tie your own shoes, you may prefer to wear loafers — slip-on shoes without laces. If you're a loafer at work, your co-workers will grow to resent you for doing nothing while they do their jobs. Loafers like to loaf, or "spend time in an idle, aimless way." People will call you a loafer if you spend most of your time in a reclining position, take frequent breaks for snacks and naps, or obviously avoid anything resembling hard work. This noun has been in use since the mid-1800s, but its origin isn't clear. The shoe called a loafer got its name because it's easily slipped on, without the work of laces and knots.

Example Sentences

“She’s a loafer for life now,” Kelce confirmed.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2025

The song is the unhurried portrait of a loafer on his front porch, watching tourists sunbathe while a pot of shrimp is beginning to boil.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 2, 2023

In the world of dupe influencing, any legging is a Lululemon Align dupe, and any lug sole loafer is a dupe for Gucci.

From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2023

There were new offerings of the Gucci loafer and the brand's famed handbags.

From Reuters • Feb. 24, 2023

I've just started to say the T in Tiny when he comes running out of his room, one black leather loafer on and the other in his hand, shouting, "Go, Grayson, go go."

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan