Shoe has several meanings. The most common one is the item of footwearClothing or covering designed to protect and cover the feet. worn on the foot. It can also mean a metal fitting for a horse’s hoofThe hard foot of an animal such as a horse., a brake part, a card-dealingUsed for dealing cards in a game or casino context. case, or the verb meaning to fit with shoes.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ʃu/
Easy pronunciation: SHOO (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, so the whole word is stressed.
This is the noun meaning a piece of footwear for your foot.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Shoe Meaning
a piece of footwear for your foot
Part of speech: noun
Definition: footwear shaped to fit the foot, worn below the ankle
Example: She bought a new pair of shoes for the concert.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Shoe
Meaning 2
a brake part that helps slow a wheel
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a restraint provided when the brake linings are moved hydraulically against the brake drum to retard the wheel's rotation
Example: The mechanic replaced the worn brake shoes.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- brake shoe — Exact term for this mechanical part.
- skid — Listed as a synonym in the source, but it is less precise and can mean something different in general use.
Meaning 3
a metal fitting nailed to a horse's hoof
Part of speech: noun
Definition: U-shaped plate nailed to underside of horse's hoof
Example: The farrier fitted a new shoe to the horse.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- horseshoe — The normal term for this item.
Meaning 4
a container that holds cards for dealing
Part of speech: noun
Definition: (card games) a case from which playing cards are dealt one at a time
Example: The dealer shuffled the shoe before starting the game.
Meaning 5
to put shoes on something or someone
Part of speech: verb
Definition: furnish with shoes
Example: The children were well shoed for the winter.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Shoe Synonyms
brake part
- brake shoe
- skid
horse fitting
- horseshoe
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse shoe the footwear with horseshoe, which is a metal fitting for a horse's hoof.
- In card games, shoe does not mean a shoe you wear on your foot.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does shoe mean as a noun?
As a noun, shoe usually means footwear worn on the foot. It can also refer to a brake part, a horse's hoof fitting, or a card-dealing case.
What is the most common meaning of shoe?
The most common meaning is the footwear worn on your foot.
What are the best synonyms for shoe?
For the main meaning, there are no strong true synonyms. For other senses, brake shoe and horseshoe are the best matches in their specific meanings.
Can shoe be a verb?
Yes. As a verb, it means to fit with shoes.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.