plural socks
1
archaic
: a low shoe or slipper
2
also plural sox
ˈsäks 
: a knitted or woven covering for the foot usually worn under shoes and extending above the ankle and sometimes to the knee
: a knitted or woven covering for the foot usually worn under shoes and extending above the ankle and sometimes to the knee
3
a
: a shoe worn by actors in Greek and Roman comedy
b
: comic drama
socked; socking; socks
: to hit, strike, or apply forcefully
sock a home run
an area socked by a blizzard
: to deliver a blow : hit
see also:
: a vigorous or violent blow
also
: punch entry 3 sense 3
Examples of sock in a Sentence
Noun (1)
black socks to go with black pants and shoes
Verb
kept socking the punching bag until he was exhausted
Noun (2)
a wiseacre who deserves a good sock in the face
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
The woman reaches into her left sock to pull out some cash.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Labin details the elaborate process of elimination that determines which socks to bring to the festival each year.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sock
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Noun
Partway through the Holy Thursday Mass, twelve people take seats near the altar and remove their shoes and socks.
—Paul Elie, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
The woman reaches into her left sock to pull out some cash.
—Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
Evening rush-hour commuters — who thought winter was over — felt foolish after the city was socked with a record-breaking spring snowfall.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Labin details the elaborate process of elimination that determines which socks to bring to the festival each year.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sock
Cite this Entry
“Sock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sock. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sock
2 of 3 verb
: to hit, strike, or apply forcefully : deliver a blow
sock
3 of 3 noun
: a violent blow : punch
Etymology
Noun
Old English socc "a low shoe or slipper," from Latin soccus (same meaning)
Verb
origin unknown
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