Meaning & use
slip-on shoes
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Meanings
nounplural
Shoes that you can put on without tying or fastening, usually by sliding your foot into them.
Grammar: Always used in the plural to talk about a pair; for one item, say 'a slip-on shoe' or 'a slip-on'.
Patterns
- a pair of slip-on shoes
- wear slip-on shoes
- slip-on shoes for men/women
I bought a pair of black slip-on shoes for work because I hate tying laces.
Slip-on shoes are convenient for airports because you can take them off quickly at security.
She prefers slip-on shoes when she goes walking on the beach.
nounplural
A type of shoe that has no laces, buckles, or straps and is designed to be easily put on and taken off.
Grammar: Often used with modifiers like 'canvas', 'leather', or 'casual' to specify the style.
Patterns
- canvas slip-on shoes
- leather slip-on shoes
- casual slip-on shoes
These canvas slip-on shoes are perfect for the summer.
He wore leather slip-on shoes with his suit.
The store sells a wide range of slip-on shoes, from casual to formal.
Word forms
| singular | slip-on shoe |
|---|---|
| short form | slip-on |
Common combinations
- a pair of slip-on shoes
- She packed a pair of slip-on shoes for the trip.
- wear slip-on shoes
- Many nurses wear slip-on shoes because they are easy to clean.
- canvas slip-on shoes
- Canvas slip-on shoes are light and breathable.
- leather slip-on shoes
- He polished his leather slip-on shoes before the interview.
- slip-on shoes for kids
- Slip-on shoes for kids help them get ready faster in the morning.
Synonyms and how they differ
- laceless shoes
- A more general term for any shoes without laces, including those with straps or buckles; slip-on shoes specifically have no fastenings at all.
- loafers
- A type of slip-on shoe, usually made of leather and more formal; not all slip-on shoes are loafers.
- flip-flops
- A kind of slip-on shoe with a thong between the toes, typically for warm weather; slip-on shoes can be any style without fastenings.
Opposites
Word family
- slip-on noun
- Short form for a slip-on shoe.
- slip on phrasal verb
- To put on a piece of clothing or shoes quickly and easily.
Commonly confused: slip-on shoes or slip-on? slip-on shoes or slippers?
slip-on shoes vs slip-on
As a noun, 'slip-on' can mean any item of clothing that you slip on, not just shoes. As an adjective, it describes shoes without fastenings. The phrase 'slip on shoes' is a noun phrase, while 'slip-on shoes' is an adjective + noun.
slip-on shoes vs slippers
Slippers are soft, comfortable shoes worn indoors, while slip-on shoes can be worn outdoors and are often more structured.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'slip-on shoes' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option B is correct because 'slip-on shoes' is a plural noun phrase and takes a plural verb 'put on' and the possessive 'his'. Option An is wrong because 'a new' requires a singular noun ('a new slip-on shoe'). Option C is wrong because 'slip-on' is not a verb. Option D is wrong because 'is' does not agree with the plural 'shoes'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “slip-on shoes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.