soft-shoe

[ sawft-shoo, soft- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of tap dancing done in soft-soled shoes, without taps.

soft-shoe

noun

1. modifier relating to a type of tap dancing performed wearing soft-soled shoes

   the soft-shoe shuffle

Word History and Origins

Origin of soft-shoe¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

At his audition, Mr. Battle said that he fudged a soft-shoe routine.

From New York Times

She leaped up to do a brief soft-shoe, re-enacting her audition.

From New York Times

Hersch, for his part, plays light-spirited stride with a soft-shoe touch, as well as rumbling-and-twinkling patches where his hands work as far apart as possible in the bass and treble extremities of the keyboard.

From Seattle Times

She can conjure a gospel number, a tap soft-shoe, or a folk-rock confessional like a seasoned pro.

From New York Times

Today, I can go for a walk without worrying whether a soft-shoe number might leave me blubbering.

From Washington Post