slipper

¹ American  

[slip-er] / ˈslɪp ər /

noun

1. any light, low-cut shoe into which the foot may be easily slipped, slip, for casual wear in the home, for dancing, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to strike or beat with a slipper.

slipper ² American  

[slip-er] / ˈslɪp ər /

adjective

Older Use.

1. slippery.

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slipper British  

/ ˈslɪpə /

noun

1. a light shoe of some soft material, for wearing around the house

2. a woman's evening or dancing shoe

3. informal cricket a fielder in the slip position

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verb

1. informal (tr) to hit or beat with a slipper

Other Word Forms

• slipper-like adjective
• slippered adjective
• slipperlike adjective
• unslippered adjective

Etymology

Origin of slipper¹

First recorded in 1470–80; slip ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of slipper²

before 1000; Middle English sliper, Old English slipor; slippery

Explanation

A slipper is a kind of indoor shoe that slips easily on and off your foot. You may prefer to walk around barefoot unless it's really cold, in which case you wear slippers. Slippers are cozy, and they're often warm too. A more old fashioned kind of slipper was a dress shoe that slipped on the foot, rather than being buckled or buttoned—like Cinderella's glass slipper. The word comes from the fact that you can slip a slipper on or off easily. It's related to the Old English slypescoh, literally "slip-shoe."

Example Sentences

The coachman produced a pink box with a glass slipper inside, telling them: "I've come to find a princess."

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

For all its muddy cultural avenues left unexplored, though, it at least provides a slipper view of the ways the show represented “the inception of American shock culture,” as one producer accurately describes it.

From Salon • Jan. 7, 2025

Spiny and slipper lobsters, particularly targeted to supply more tourist-intensive islands, were also considered depleted.

From Science Daily • Nov. 16, 2024

Their thick rubber soles and low heels combine rugged work wear aesthetics with the convenience of a slipper.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2024

"So you are the slipper thief," Nancy said to Deirdre.

From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene

Related Words

• mule
• sandal