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sock

1 of 3

noun (1)

plural socks
Synonyms of socknext
1
archaic : a low shoe or slipper
2
also plural sox ˈsäks How to pronounce sock (audio) : 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
sockless adjective

sock

2 of 3

verb

socked; socking; socks

transitive verb

: to hit, strike, or apply forcefully
sock a home run
an area socked by a blizzard

intransitive verb

: to deliver a blow : hit

sock

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a vigorous or violent blow
Phrases
sock it to
slang
: to subject to or as if to a vigorous assault
… ready to sock it to somebody … that they were mad as hell about.Andy Logan

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
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.
Noun
Some of us have historically complained when receiving socks as presents, but this is a nice gift set that also supports children’s literacy through Room to Read. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025 Gloves, scarves, socks, jumpers—many in the house’s signature argyle—are meant to feel like little gifts from a friend with impeccable taste. John Wogan, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
Verb
Sunday was expected to be the biggest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend at O'Hare International Airport, and the winter storm that socked the area this weekend has been more than disruptive. Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025 Experts say that the low cost can be an enticement to lure in the buyer before getting socked with more fees. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 30 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sock

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English socke, from Old English socc, from Latin soccus

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sock was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Sock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sock. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

sock

1 of 3 noun
plural socks also sox ˈsäks How to pronounce sock (audio)
: a knitted or woven covering for the foot usually extending above the ankle and sometimes to the knee

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sock

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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