This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
sole
1[ sohl ]
/ soʊl /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of sole
1First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English sol(e), soul(e) “unmarried, single, alone,” from Old French sol, sol(e), sul, from Latin sōlus “alone, on one's own, lonely”
OTHER WORDS FROM sole
soleness, nounWords nearby sole
Other definitions for sole (2 of 3)
sole2
[ sohl ]
/ soʊl /
noun
verb (used with object), soled, sol·ing.
to furnish with a sole, as a shoe.
Golf. to place the sole of (a club) on the ground, as in preparation for a stroke.
Origin of sole
2First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English (noun) sole, sol(le), from Old French sole, sol(le), soul, from Vulgar Latin, Medieval Latin sola, from Latin solea “plain sandal (fastened with thongs); sole (fish); foundation (timber),” derivative of solum “base, floor, bottom”
OTHER WORDS FROM sole
soleless, adjectiveOther definitions for sole (3 of 3)
sole3
[ sohl ]
/ soʊl /
noun, plural (especially collectively) sole, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) soles.
a European flatfish, Solea solea, used for food.
any other flatfish of the families Soleidae and Cynoglossidae, having a hooklike snout.
Origin of sole
3First recorded in 1250–1300; see origin at sole2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use sole in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for sole (1 of 3)
sole1
/ (səʊl) /
adjective
Derived forms of sole
soleness, nounWord Origin for sole
C14: from Old French soule, from Latin sōlus alone
British Dictionary definitions for sole (2 of 3)
sole2
/ (səʊl) /
noun
verb (tr)
to provide (a shoe) with a sole
golf to rest (the club) on the ground, as when preparing to make a stroke
Derived forms of sole
soleless, adjectiveWord Origin for sole
C14: via Old French from Latin solea sandal; probably related to solum the ground
British Dictionary definitions for sole (3 of 3)
sole3
/ (səʊl) /
noun plural sole or soles
any tongue-shaped flatfish of the family Soleidae, esp Solea solea (European sole): most common in warm seas and highly valued as food fishes
any of certain other similar fishes
Word Origin for sole
C14: via Old French from Vulgar Latin sola (unattested), from Latin solea a sandal (from the fish's shape)
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