mukluk

[ muhk-luhk ]

noun

1. a soft boot worn by the Inuit and Yupik in the American Arctic, often lined with fur and usually made of sealskin or reindeer skin.
2. a similar boot with a soft sole, usually worn for lounging.

mukluk

/ ˈmʌklʌk /

noun

1. a soft boot, usually of sealskin, worn by the Inuit

Word History and Origins

Origin of mukluk¹

First recorded in 1865–70, Americanism; from Yupik maklak “bearded seal,” incorrectly taken to mean “sealskin,” then transferred to “boots made of sealskin”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mukluk¹

from Inuktitut muklok large seal

Example Sentences

Diyet van Lieshout, the mezzo-soprano from Yukon, is filmed traipsing through the snow in her traditional mukluk boots.

From New York Times

After he spoke and chose his racing bib number out of a mukluk boot, an Iditarod tradition, he returned to his table.

From New York Times

Women with mittens and ornate mukluk boots swayed their hips to the beat.

From New York Times

Nusan threaded a needle and whipped the rabbit fur onto the top of a mukluk.

From Literature

DeRuyter bought his first fat bike — a Salsa Mukluk II — during a family vacation at Jackson Hole in 2012.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• footwear