sock

[ sok ]

/ sɒk /

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See synonyms for sock on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural socks or, for 1 also, sox

[soks]. /sɒks/.

a short stocking usually reaching to the calf or just above the ankle.

a lightweight shoe worn by ancient Greek and Roman comic actors.

comic writing for the theater; comedy or comic drama.Compare buskin (def. 4).

Furniture. a raised vertical area of a club or pad foot.

sock puppet (def. 3).

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Idioms about sock

knock one's / the socks off. knock (def. 29).

Origin of sock

First recorded before 900; Middle English sok, socke, Old English socc “light shoe, slipper, stocking,” from Latin soccus

OTHER WORDS FROM sock

sockless, adjectivesock·less·ness, noun

Other definitions for sock (2 of 2)

sock²

[ sok ]

/ sɒk /

Slang.

verb (used with object)

to strike or hit hard.

noun

a hard blow.

a very successful show, performance, actor, etc.: The show was a sock.

adjective

extremely successful: a sock performance.

Verb Phrases

sock away, to put into savings or reserve.

sock in, to close or ground because of adverse weather conditions: The airport was socked in.

Origin of sock

First recorded in 1690–1700; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sock in a sentence

Melchior is the forerunner of the aunt who always gave me socks.
Keep Christmas Commercialized!|P. J. O’Rourke|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I got a chance to see this man in his office and present him with these socks.
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way|Tom Teodorczuk|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nagrani started out selling socks with designs ranging from a shirt on Magnum, P.I. to Winston Churchill.
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way|Tom Teodorczuk|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He derived enormous satisfaction from some customers choosing to base the rest of their wardrobe around his socks.
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way|Tom Teodorczuk|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I took all these conservative socks and a handful of wild ones.
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way|Tom Teodorczuk|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Gie's my socks," he ordered grumpily, flinging Robert's socks into the far corner of the kitchen.
The Underworld|James C. Welsh
He rose, shaking himself together, and his glance fell on the three suspended socks bulging grotesquely.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Still, if the weather gets colder, I can put on a second pair of socks under them.
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie|George Brenton Laurie
Reminds me of the time when we painted socks on Quinnys legs so that he could go out and call on a countess.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
I forgot to say that yesterday my Mother sent me from Oakfield two pairs of thick strong socks and some Canadian chocolate.
Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie|George Brenton Laurie

British Dictionary definitions for sock (1 of 2)

sock¹

/ (sɒk) /

noun

a cloth covering for the foot, reaching to between the ankle and knee and worn inside a shoe

an insole put in a shoe, as to make it fit better

a light shoe worn by actors in ancient Greek and Roman comedy, sometimes taken to allude to comic drama in general (as in the phrase sock and buskin)See buskin

another name for windsock

pull one's socks up British informal to make a determined effort, esp in order to regain control of a situation

put a sock in it British slang be quiet!

verb

(tr) to provide with socks

socked in US and Canadian slang (of an airport) closed by adverse weather conditions

Word Origin for sock

Old English socc a light shoe, from Latin soccus, from Greek sukkhos

British Dictionary definitions for sock (2 of 2)

sock²

/ (sɒk) slang /

verb

(usually tr) to hit with force

sock it to to make a forceful impression on

noun

a forceful blow

Word Origin for sock

C17: of obscure origin

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

sock

Idioms about sock

Origin of sock

OTHER WORDS FROM sock

Other definitions for sock (2 of 2)

Origin of sock

Words related to sock

How to use sock in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sock (1 of 2)

Word Origin for sock

British Dictionary definitions for sock (2 of 2)

Word Origin for sock