# sole

/ˈsoʊɫ/ (US) · /sˈəʊl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sole
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. only

adjective · CEFR B1

being the only one of something.

For teachers: being the only one; exclusive of all others.

- She was the sole survivor of the plane crash.
- The company was granted the sole right to distribute the vaccine within the northern territories for the next five years.

### 2. independent power

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

having the power to make decisions alone, without needing to ask others.

For teachers: possessing independent or unfettered authority; often used in legal or formal contexts regarding responsibility.

- He has sole responsibility for the children's education.
- The executor has sole discretion over the distribution of the remaining assets, provided the primary debts are settled first.

### 3. bottom of foot or shoe

noun · CEFR B2

the bottom part of your foot or the bottom of a shoe.

For teachers: the plantar surface of the foot or the underpart of a shoe or boot.

- The soles of his feet were sore after walking all day.
- The cobbler recommended a thicker rubber sole to provide better traction on the icy city pavements during the winter months.

### 4. type of fish

noun · CEFR B2

a flat sea fish that people often eat.

For teachers: any of various flatfishes of the family Soleidae, valued as food.

- We had grilled sole with lemon and herbs for dinner.
- The chef prepared a delicate lemon sole, pan-seared and served with a light butter sauce to highlight the fish's natural sweetness.

### 5. to repair a shoe

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to put a new bottom on a shoe.

For teachers: to furnish a shoe or boot with a new sole. Transitive verb requiring a direct object.

- I need to have these boots soled before the rainy season starts.
- The artisan carefully soled the bespoke leather oxfords using a traditional Goodyear welt technique for maximum durability.

## Examples

- The sole of my shoe is worn out.
- The runner felt a sharp pain in the sole of her foot after stepping on a jagged rock.
- High-quality hiking boots often feature a reinforced rubber sole designed to provide maximum traction on slippery or uneven terrain while protecting the wearer from sharp debris.

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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.