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loafer

loafer

27 3.2
A low slip-on leather shoe with a flat heel and no laces
  • noun
  • /ˈloʊfər/
translation icon : mocasín
  • We changed from hiking boots to penny loafers and reported to work Tuesday morning.
  • penny loafers
  • loafers without socks
  • wear loafers

Jenny Kane loafers and a Jenny Kane sweater.

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Examples

  • I have some Chanel loafers that I love, so I totally get it.

  • "Cabot rose and slipped into his black loafers before walking to his desk.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I got him some loafers from the row.

  • These are some leather loafers type things.

  • And I did buy two pairs of Italian loafers, size 11.

  • I was only too happy to slip off my loafers and roll up my sleeves.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Got me some long pants, a neat little polo shirt, and a pair of penny loafers.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • His shoes were burnt-almond loafers, polished to a mirror surface.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I've got my Top Shop bag, my camera, and my Kurt Geiger loafers which kind of match my bag.

  • I wore my new loafers to the casual dinner party and received many compliments.

Synonyms

shoe
vsloafer
1.0

A covering for the foot with a sole and often a heel

is a specific low slip-on style with stitched upper and flat heel
moccasin
vsloafer
22 6.0

A soft leather shoe with a flexible sole often decorated with beads

has a firmer sole and low broad heel for structure rather than flexible comfort

How Formal

oxford
  • Formal
4 5.1
loafer
27 3.2
moccasin
22 6.0
slipper
136 1.0

Surface Forms

loafer singular
loafers plural

Morphology

loafer = loaf (semi-transparent) = loaf + er

The shoe sense arose by naming the slip-on shoe after people who 'loaf' (idle), so the link to 'loaf' + '-er' is indirect and not immediately derivable by learners.

Etymology

The word loafer for the shoe comes from the verb to loaf, which means 'to relax or do nothing'. So the shoe is a simple, low, slip-on style made for easy, casual wear.