sock

1 of 3

noun (1)

plural socks
1
archaic : a low shoe or slipper
2
also plural sox ˈsäks How to pronounce sock (audio) : a knitted or woven covering for the foot usually worn under shoes and extending above the ankle and sometimes to the knee
3
a
: a shoe worn by actors in Greek and Roman comedy
b
: comic drama
sockless adjective

sock

2 of 3

verb

socked; socking; socks

transitive verb

: to hit, strike, or apply forcefully
sock a home run
an area socked by a blizzard

intransitive verb

: to deliver a blow : hit

sock

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a vigorous or violent blow
Phrases
sock it to
slang
: to subject to or as if to a vigorous assault
they may let you off the first time … but the second time they'll sock it to youJames Jones

Examples of sock in a Sentence

Noun (1) black socks to go with black pants and shoes Verb kept socking the punching bag until he was exhausted Noun (2) a wiseacre who deserves a good sock in the face
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Adding these creative socks to a friend's wardrobe is sure to give them a conversation piece for the future. The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024 In slide eight, Hailey shared a photo of Jack's little legs in a Nightmare Before Christmas onesie and little white socks. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
In respect to tariffs, dark nudging helps people feel as if our country is socking it to China. Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 The spike in costs sometimes leads people to forego insurance altogether, with some Florida residents telling CBS Miami that they've been socked with rates reaching $20,000 per year. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sock 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English socke, from Old English socc, from Latin soccus

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sock was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sock

Cite this Entry

“Sock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sock. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sock

1 of 3 noun
plural socks also sox ˈsäks How to pronounce sock (audio)
: a knitted or woven covering for the foot usually extending above the ankle and sometimes to the knee

sock

2 of 3 verb
: to hit, strike, or apply forcefully : deliver a blow

sock

3 of 3 noun
: a violent blow : punch
Etymology

Noun

Old English socc "a low shoe or slipper," from Latin soccus (same meaning)

Verb

origin unknown

More from Merriam-Webster on sock

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