Collection of English shoes vocabulary with detailed meanings

Shoes vocabulary

Illustration

Sneakers 

/ˈsniːkərz/ (n)

Loafers 

/ˈloʊfarz/ (n)

Oxfords 

/ˈɒksfərdz/ (n)

Brogues 

/broʊɡz/ (n)

Derby 

/ˈderbi/ (n)

Monk straps 

/mʌŋk stræps/ (n)

Chelsea boots 

/ˈtʃelsi buːts/ (n)

Chukka boots 

/ˈtʃʌkə buːts/ (n)

Moccasins 

/ˈmɒkəsɪnz/ (n)

Espadrilles 

/ˌespəˈdrɪlz/ (n)

Sandals 

/ˈsændlz/ (n)

Flip-flops 

/ˈflɪpˌflɒps/ (n)

Boat shoes/ top-siders/ deck shoes 

/boʊt ʃuz/ (n)

Wingtips/ Full Brogues

/ˈwɪŋˌtɪps/ (n)

Ankle boots 

/ˈæŋkl buːts/ (n)

Slip-ons 

/slɪp ɒnz/ (n)

Shoes vocabulary

Illustration

Ankle booties/ ankle boots 

/ˈæŋkl ˈbʊtiz/ (n)

Ballet flats 

/ˈbæleɪ flæts/ (n)

Block heels 

/blɒk hiːlz/ (n)

Comma heels 

/ˈkɒmə hiːlz/ (n)

Cone heels 

/koʊn hiːlz/ (n)

Cork high heels 

/kɔrk haɪ hiːlz/ (n)

Corset heels 

/ˈkɔrsɪt hiːlz/ (n)

Cuban heels 

/ˈkjuːbən hiːlz/ (n)

Decorative heels 

/ˈdɛkərətɪv hiːlz/ (n)

Flare heels 

/flɛər hiːlz/ (n)

French heels 

/frɛntʃ hiːlz/ (n)

High-heeled boots 

/haɪ hiːld buːts/ (n)

Kitten heels 

/ˈkɪtən hiːlz/ (n)

Peep-toe heels 

/piːp-toʊ hiːlz/ (n)

Platform heels 

/ˈplæt.fɔːrm hiːlz/ (n)

Pumps 

/pʌmps/ (n)

Spool heels 

/spuːl hiːlz/ (n)

Square heels 

/skwɛər hiːlz/ (n)

Stilettos 

/stɪˈlɛtoʊz/ (n)

Wedges 

/wɛdʒɪz/ (n)

Shoes vocabulary

Illustration

Work boots 

/wɜːk buːts/ (n)

Hiking boots 

/ˈhaɪkɪŋ buːts/ (n)

Formal shoes 

/ˈfɔːrml ʃuz/ (n)

Safety boots 

/ˈseɪfti bʊts/ (n)

ESD shoes 

/iːɛsˈdiː ʃuz/ (n)

Chef shoes 

/ʃɛf ʃuz/ (n)

Medical shoes 

/ˈmɛdɪkl ʃuz/ (n)

Chemical resistant shoes /ˈkɛmɪkl rɪˈzɪstənt ʃuz/ (n)

Waterproof shoes 

/ˈwɔtərpruːf ʃuz/ (n)

Heat resistant shoes 

/hiːt rɪˈzɪstənt ʃuz/ (n) 

Fire resistant shoes 

/faɪər rɪˈzɪstənt ʃuz/  (n) 

Cold resistant shoes 

/koʊld rɪˈzɪstənt ʃuz/ (n)

Shoes vocabulary

Meaning

Illustration

Upper /ˈʌpər/ (n)

the top part of a shoe that covers a person's foot and to which the heel and the sole are attached

Sole /soʊl/ (n)

the bottom part of the foot that touches the ground when you stand or walk, or the bottom part of a shoe that touches the ground, usually not including the heel

Insole /ˈɪn.soʊl/ (n)

a piece of material inside a shoe on which your foot rests, or a piece of material that you put in a shoe to make it warmer or more comfortable

Heel /hil/ (n)

the part of the bottom of a shoe that lifts the back of the foot higher than the front

Toe /toʊ/ (n)

the part of a sock, shoe, or other foot covering that goes over the toes

Vamp /væmp/ (n)

the front part of the top of a shoe

Quarter /ˈkwɔrtər/ (n)

the part of the shoe that covers the sides and back of the foot behind the vamp

Eyelets /ˈaɪ.ləts/ (n)

a small hole in the material, the edge of which is protected by a ring of metal, through which a piece of string, a shoelace, etc. is put to fasten something

Tongue /tʌŋ/ (n)

a part of an object that is tongue-shaped, especially the piece of material that is under the laces in a shoe

Collar /ˈkɒlər/ (n)

The top edge of the quarter, where you insert your foot, is often padded for extra comfort.

Lining /ˈlaɪnɪŋ/ (n)

surrounds the foot, to keep the foot feeling cozy and dry, while also helping to maintain the right humidity level inside the footwear

Pull tab /pʊl tæb/ (n)

the small loop attached to the back part of a boot’s opening over the heel area, to make it easier for the boot to be pulled on or off without pulling on the entire collar.

Saddle /ˈsædəl/ (n)

the part in the middle, between the vamp and the quarter.

Outsole /ˈaʊt.soʊl/ (n)

the piece of hard material on the bottom of the shoe

Midsole /ˈmɪd.soʊl/ (n)

the material layer under the insole but over the outsole

Shoes vocabulary

Material

Leather

/ˈlɛðər/

(n)

Suede

/sweɪd/

(n)

Canvas

/ˈkænvəs/

(n)

Mesh

/mɛʃ/

(n)

Synthetic

/sɪnˈθɛtɪk/

(n)

Rubber

/ˈrʌbər/

(n)

Nylon

/ˈnaɪlɒn/

(n)

Polyester

/ˌpɒlɪˈɛstər/

(n)

Knit

/nɪt/

(n)

Velvet

/ˈvɛlvɪt/

(n)

Denim

/ˈdɛnɪm/

(n)

Cotton

/ˈkɒtən/

(n)

Gore-tex

/ˈɡɔr tɛks/

(n)

Patent leather

/ˈpeɪtənt ˈlɛðər/

(n)

Microfiber

/ˈmaɪkroʊˌfaɪbər/

(n)

Neoprene

/ˈniːoʊˌpriːn/

(n)

Cordura

/kɔrˈdʊərə/

(n)

Twill

/twɪl/

(n)

Wool

/wʊl/

 (n)

Condition

New

/njuː/

(adj)

Used

/juːzd/

(adj)

Old

/oʊld/

(adj)

Well-worn

/wɛl wɔrn/

(adj)

Brand new

/brænd nuː/

(n)

Secondhand

/ˈsɛkəndˌhænd/

(adj)

Vintage

/ˈvɪntɪdʒ/

(adj)

Pre-owned

/priː ˈoʊnd/

(adj)

Damaged

/ˈdæmɪdʒd/

(adj)

Scuffed

/skʌft/

(adj)

Dirty

/ˈdɜrti/

(adj)

Well-kept

/wɛl kɛpt/

(adj)

Polished

/ˈpɒlɪʃt/

(adj)

Untouched

/ənˈtʌtʃt/

(adj)

Refurbished

/rɪˈfɜrbɪʃt/

(adj)

Size

Size

/saɪz/

(n)

Length

/lɛŋθ/

(n)

Width

/wɪdθ/

(n)

Fit

/fɪt/

(adj)

Tight

/taɪt/

(adj)

Loose

/luːs/

(adj)

Snug

/snʌɡ/

(adj)

Roomy

/ˈruːmi/

(adj)

Half-size

/hæf saɪz/

(adj)

True to size

/truː tuː saɪz/

(adj)

Upsize

/ʌp saɪz/

(v)

Downsize

/daʊn saɪz/

(v)

Sizing chart

/ˈsaɪzɪŋ ʧɑrt/

(n)

Insole length

/ˈɪnsoʊl lɛŋθ/

(n)

Customer inquiring about sizes 

• C: Excuse me, can you help me find these shoes in a size 8?
• S: Of course, let me check our inventory. I'll be right back. 

Trying on shoes

• C: I'd like to try on these sneakers in a size 7, please. 
• S: Sure, here you go. The fitting room is right over there. Let me know if you need a different size. 

Asking about discounts

• C: Are there any discounts or promotions going on right now? 
• S: We currently have a buy one, get one 50% off promotion on selected items. Would you like to take advantage of that? 

Returning a purchase

• C: I bought these shoes last week, but they're not comfortable. Can I return them? 
• S: Certainly. Do you have the receipt? We can process the return for you.

Assisting with shoe care products 

• C: I'm looking for something to clean and protect my leather shoes. Any recommendations? 
• S: Yes, we have a leather care kit right here. It includes a cleaner, conditioner, and protector. It works wonders on leather shoes.