Sole
soʊl
Definitions
4 meaningsThe bottom surface of a foot or of a shoe.
soʊl
The underside of a foot or shoe.
The sole of his hiking boot was completely worn out.
💡 Simply: It's the part of your foot (or your shoe!) that you walk on. Imagine stomping in a puddle – it's your sole making contact!
👶 For kids: The bottom part of your foot that touches the ground, or the bottom part of a shoe.
More Examples
She stepped on a sharp stone and cut her sole.
The orthopedist examined the patient's foot to assess the sole.
How It's Used
"The sole of the foot is covered with thick skin to withstand pressure."
"The cobbler repaired the worn sole of the shoe."
Being the only one; single; solitary.
soʊl
Only; single; one and only.
She was the sole heir to the family fortune.
💡 Simply: It means only one, or the only one. Imagine you're the sole winner of a contest – you're the only one who won!
👶 For kids: When there is only one of something.
More Examples
The sole purpose of this meeting is to finalize the budget.
The sole reason for his success was hard work.
How It's Used
"The company has the sole right to manufacture this product."
"He was the sole survivor of the shipwreck."
To put a sole on (a shoe or boot)
soʊl
To furnish or equip (a shoe) with a sole.
The shoemaker soled the antique leather boots.
💡 Simply: To put a sole on a shoe, like a cobbler would do.
👶 For kids: To put a new bottom on a shoe.
More Examples
He quickly soled his shoes.
How It's Used
"The cobbler soled the worn boots."
A flatfish of the family Soleidae, widely used as food.
soʊl
A flatfish, a kind of fish.
We had grilled sole for dinner.
💡 Simply: It's a kind of fish that is flat and tasty. You might eat it for dinner!
👶 For kids: A flat fish that people eat.
More Examples
Sole is often served with lemon.
The chef prepared a delicious sole meuniere.
How It's Used
"The restaurant served pan-seared sole with lemon butter sauce."
"The sole is a flatfish that lives on the ocean floor."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
the soles of your feet
The bottom parts of your feet.
"After the long hike, the soles of his feet were sore."
sole survivor
The only person remaining alive after a disaster.
"The shipwreck's sole survivor was rescued after three days."
From Latin *solus* meaning 'alone, single'. Related to the same root as 'solo'.
The word 'sole' meaning 'single' or 'only' dates back to Old English, reflecting the idea of being alone or without companions. The use for the bottom of a foot, or of a shoe, came later.