slingback

noun

sling·​back ˈsliŋ-ˌbak How to pronounce slingback (audio)
plural slingbacks
1
: a strap on a shoe that loops around the back of the ankle leaving the heel exposed
a pump with a slingback
a slingback strap
2
: a shoe with a slingback
Selling out twice since launching late-summer, the sparkly slingbacks have become ubiquitous among influencers and fashion heads alike, thanks to their designer look and pocket-friendly price.Daisy Lester
Paired with a sleek slingback [=pair of slingbacks] and peplum top, they'll accompany you perfectly to a dinner out on the town.Brooke Frischer
often used before another noun
a slingback style/silhouette
I added a large multicolored pin to hold the scarf and pewter … slingback heels.Tammy Duos, quoted in The Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
She bought beige slingback pumps with a pink thread running through them, a beige skirt, a crisp pink cotton shirt and pink trench, and it fits with other pieces already in her closet.Wendy Navratil

Examples of slingback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Women have plenty options beyond the obvious slingback heel (though that’s perfect for rooftop Aperol spritzes). Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 This seems to be a more athletic extension of the penchant for all things metallic witnessed on red carpets as of late, taking the form of sleek slingback heels and height-happy platform pumps. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2025 While she was alarmed by shiny black leggings, slingback boots, and a jean jacket, I was equally stunned by her Pentecostal version of nurses’ scrubs; a powder blue, boxy dress with a matching jacket and headwrap. Essence, 24 July 2025 Complete the timeless look with sapphire drop earrings, white satin slingback heels, and an envelope clutch in the subtlest shade of sky—your ‘something blue’ for the night before. Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for slingback

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of slingback was in 1940

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Cite this Entry

“Slingback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slingback. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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