ENGLISH
REFERENCE

footwear

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈfʊtˌwɛɹ// UK //fˈʊtweə// footwear

n. things you wear on your feet, such as shoes, boots, or sandals. You use this word when talking about all types of shoes as a group.

n. a collective term for items worn on the feet, including shoes, boots, and sandals, designed for protection or fashion.


SIMPLE

Please remove your footwear before entering the house.

CONTEXTUAL

The sign at the gym entrance reminds members that appropriate athletic footwear is required on the basketball court.

COMPLEX

Specialised footwear designed for high-altitude climbing must provide both thermal insulation and compatibility with crampons to ensure the safety of the mountaineer.

Synonyms
Origin

From foot + -wear.

Usage

Uncountable; refers to the category of items rather than individual shoes.

Pitfall

I bought two footwearsI bought two pairs of shoesFootwear is uncountable and cannot be used with numbers or in the plural form.

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