# soles

/ˈsoʊɫz/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/soles
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the bottom parts of your feet or the bottom parts of your shoes. They are the surfaces that touch the ground when you stand or walk.

For teachers: the undersides of the feet or the bottom surfaces of footwear. Often refers to the durable material attached to the base of a shoe to provide traction and protection.

## Examples

- The soles of my new boots are made of thick rubber.
- After walking across the hot sand all afternoon, the soles of his feet were quite sore.
- The cobbler explained that while the leather uppers remained in excellent condition, the soles had worn dangerously thin and required complete replacement to ensure proper grip.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the plural when referring to a pair of shoes or both feet.

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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.