# footwear

/ˈfʊtˌwɛɹ/ (US) · /fˈʊtweə/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/footwear
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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.

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

## Examples

- Please remove your footwear before entering the house.
- The sign at the gym entrance reminds members that appropriate athletic footwear is required on the basketball court.
- Specialised footwear designed for high-altitude climbing must provide both thermal insulation and compatibility with crampons to ensure the safety of the mountaineer.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I bought two footwears" but "I bought two pairs of shoes" — Footwear is uncountable and cannot be used with numbers or in the plural form.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.