sock

¹

[ sok ]

noun

, plural socks sox [soks].

1. a short stocking usually reaching to the calf or just above the ankle.
2. a lightweight shoe worn by ancient Greek and Roman comic actors.
3. comic writing for the theater; comedy or comic drama. Compare buskin ( def 4 ).
4. Furniture. a raised vertical area of a club or pad foot.
5. sock puppet ( def 3 ).

sock

²

[ sok ]

verb (used with object)

1. to strike or hit hard.

noun

1. a hard blow.
2. a very successful show, performance, actor, etc.:

   The show was a sock.

adjective

1. extremely successful:

   a sock performance.

verb phrase

1. to close or ground because of adverse weather conditions:

   The airport was socked in.

2. to put into savings or reserve.

sock

¹

/ sɒk /

noun

1. a cloth covering for the foot, reaching to between the ankle and knee and worn inside a shoe
2. an insole put in a shoe, as to make it fit better
3. 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
4. another name for windsock
5. pull one's socks up informal.
   to make a determined effort, esp in order to regain control of a situation
6. put a sock in it slang.
   be quiet!

verb

1. tr to provide with socks
2. socked in slang.
   (of an airport) closed by adverse weather conditions

sock

²

/ sɒk /

verb

1. usually tr to hit with force
2. sock it to
   to make a forceful impression on

noun

1. a forceful blow

Other Words From

• sockless adjective
• sockless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sock¹

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

Origin of sock²

First recorded in 1690–1700; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of sock¹

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

Origin of sock²

C17: of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

Make sure to pair with an equally stylish sock.

From Los Angeles Times

Through a small crevice in the rubble they spot the trapped boy, trying to move his legs, his babygrow and a single blue sock visible to the rescue crew.

From BBC

Balega’s Blister Resist Quarter might just be the perfect hiking and walking sock.

From Los Angeles Times

It has a padded heel and toe for comfort and protection as well as a compression band around the arch area to keep the sock securely in place.

From Los Angeles Times

My colleague Deborah feels the sock described above might be the perfect hiking sock.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• belt