Shoes, footwear, English vocabulary for different types of shoes and related terms.

This page covers English vocabulary for shoes and footwear, including different styles, parts, and materials. You’ll learn common words used to describe shoes and talk about them confidently.

Types of Shoes

These are the most common types of shoes you’ll hear about in everyday English.

English Singular	English Plural	English Example	English Example
sneaker / tennis shoe	sneakers / tennis shoes	I wear sneakers to the gym.	Llevo zapatillas al gimnasio.
sandal	sandals	She bought new sandals for the summer.	Ella compró sandalias nuevas para el verano.
boot	boots	He wears boots in the winter.	Él usa botas en invierno.
dress shoe	dress shoes	He wore black dress shoes to the interview.	Él llevó zapatos formales negros a la entrevista.
loafer	loafers	Loafers are comfortable for work.	Los mocasines son cómodos para el trabajo.
flip-flop	flip-flops	I wore flip-flops at the beach.	Usé chanclas en la playa.
high heel	high heels	She wore high heels to the party.	Ella llevó tacones altos a la fiesta.
slipper	slippers	I put on my slippers at home.	Me puse las pantuflas en casa.

Él llevó zapatos ___ negros a la entrevista.

Which type of shoe is typically worn for formal occasions?

sneakers

dress shoes

flip-flops

loafers

dress shoes

Dress shoes are worn for formal occasions, unlike sneakers, flip-flops, or loafers.

Ella compró nuevas ___.

What is the English word for open shoes usually worn in warm weather?

boots

sandals

sneakers

slippers

sandals

Sandals are open shoes often worn in warm weather, unlike boots, sneakers, or slippers.

Shoe Parts

These are the main parts of a shoe. Knowing these helps you describe shoes more precisely.

English Singular	English Plural	English Example	English Example
sole	soles	The sole of my shoe is worn out.	La suela de mi zapato está desgastada.
heel	heels	She has high heels.	Ella tiene tacones altos.
toe	toes	My shoes have a pointed toe.	Mis zapatos tienen punta afilada.
insole	insoles	I bought gel insoles for comfort.	Compré plantillas de gel para mayor comodidad.
shoelace	shoelaces	My shoelaces are untied.	Mis cordones están desatados.
tongue	tongues	The tongue of the shoe is padded.	La lengüeta del zapato está acolchada.
eyelet	eyelets	The shoelaces go through the eyelets.	Los cordones pasan por los ojales.
vamp	—	The vamp covers the top of the foot.	El empeine cubre la parte superior del pie.

Shoe Materials

Shoes can be made from many different materials. Here are the most common ones.

English Singular	English Plural	English Example	English Example
leather	—	These shoes are made of leather.	Estos zapatos son de cuero.
suede	—	She has a suede jacket and shoes.	Ella tiene una chaqueta y zapatos de gamuza.
canvas	—	I bought canvas sneakers.	Compré zapatillas de lona.
rubber	—	The soles are made of rubber.	Las suelas son de goma.
synthetic	—	These shoes have synthetic uppers.	Estos zapatos tienen partes superiores sintéticas.
mesh	—	The sneakers have a breathable mesh.	Las zapatillas tienen una malla transpirable.
fabric	—	Her shoes are made from colorful fabric.	Sus zapatos están hechos de tela colorida.

Shoe-Related Items

These are other common items and terms related to shoes.

English Singular	English Plural	English Example	English Example
shoebox	shoeboxes	I keep my shoes in the shoebox.	Guardo mis zapatos en la caja de zapatos.
shoehorn	shoehorns	Use a shoehorn to put on tight shoes.	Usa un calzador para ponerte zapatos ajustados.
footbed	footbeds	The shoe has a cushioned footbed.	El zapato tiene una plantilla acolchada.
arch support	—	These insoles provide great arch support.	Estas plantillas tienen buen soporte para el arco.
shoe polish	—	I need some black shoe polish.	Necesito betún negro para zapatos.
cobbler	cobblers	The cobbler fixed my broken heel.	El zapatero arregló mi tacón roto.

Shoe Descriptions

Use these words to describe shoes more clearly.

English Singular	English Plural	English Example	English Example
comfortable	—	These shoes are very comfortable.	Estos zapatos son muy cómodos.
stylish	—	She always wears stylish boots.	Ella siempre lleva botas elegantes.
worn-out	—	My old sneakers are worn-out.	Mis zapatillas viejas están desgastadas.
tight	—	These shoes are too tight.	Estos zapatos están demasiado apretados.
loose	—	The sandals are a bit loose.	Las sandalias están un poco sueltas.
waterproof	—	I need waterproof boots for the rain.	Necesito botas impermeables para la lluvia.
breathable	—	Sneakers with breathable fabric are best for running.	Las zapatillas con tela transpirable son mejores para correr.

Shoe Shopping

These phrases and words help you buy shoes and talk about sizes.

English Singular	English Plural	English Example	English Example
size	sizes	What shoe size do you wear?	¿Qué talla de zapatos usas?
fit	—	Do these shoes fit well?	¿Estos zapatos quedan bien?
try-on	—	I want to try on those boots.	Quiero probarme esas botas.
return	—	Can I return these shoes if they don’t fit?	¿Puedo devolver estos zapatos si no quedan?
discount	discounts	There’s a 20% discount on all shoes.	Hay un 20% de descuento en todos los zapatos.
out of stock	—	The size 9 sneakers are out of stock.	Las zapatillas talla 9 están agotadas.

Shoe Care

Taking care of shoes helps them last longer. Here are common shoe care terms.

English Singular	English Plural	English Example	English Example
clean	—	I clean my shoes every week.	Limpio mis zapatos cada semana.
polish	—	Polish your leather shoes regularly.	Pule tus zapatos de cuero regularmente.
waterproof spray	—	Use waterproof spray before wearing new boots.	Usa spray impermeabilizante antes de usar botas nuevas.
air out	—	It’s good to air out your shoes after wearing them.	Es bueno ventilar los zapatos después de usarlos.
replace	—	I need to replace my shoelaces.	Necesito reemplazar mis cordones.
repair	—	Can you repair these shoes?	¿Puedes arreglar estos zapatos?

Understanding shoe vocabulary helps you talk about, buy, and care for shoes with confidence in English.

Flashcards (1 of 48)

English Singular: sneaker / tennis shoe
English Plural: sneakers / tennis shoes
English Example: Llevo zapatillas al gimnasio.

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Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025

English

Shoes, Footwear