Boot

/buːt/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

A covering for the foot and lower leg, typically made of leather or other strong material.

/buːt/

nounneutralBeginner
General

Footwear covering the foot and lower leg.

My hiking boots are waterproof.

💡 Simply: Shoe that covers your ankle.

More Examples

2

She polished her leather boots.

How It's Used

Everyday Life

"I put on my boots before going for a walk in the mud."

2

To kick or strike with force.

/buːt/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To kick forcefully.

The dog booted the ball under the table.

💡 Simply: To kick something hard.

More Examples

2

He booted the door open in frustration.

How It's Used

Informal Speech

"He booted the ball across the field."

Tip:Imagine the force of a powerful kick when you BOOT someone.
3

To start or restart a computer system.

/buːt/

verbneutralIntermediate
Technology

To start or initiate (a computer system).

My computer is booting up.

💡 Simply: To turn on a computer.

More Examples

2

The system needs to be rebooted.

How It's Used

Computing

"The computer booted up quickly."

Tip:Think of 'booting' up a system, like starting a rocket.

Idioms & expressions

boot out

To forcefully eject or remove someone.

"They booted him out of the club."

From Old English *bōt, meaning "profit, advantage, recompense." The modern meaning developed through various stages, including a type of strong-bodied container and eventually footwear.

The word 'boot' initially referred to profit or advantage, only later evolving to its modern meaning relating to footwear and computers.

Memory tip

Think of kicking a football with your BOOT.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"profit, advantage, recompense"

hiking bootsleather bootsboot up a computerboot someone out

Common misspellings

boottbote

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written