loafer

noun

loaf·​er ˈlō-fər How to pronounce loafer (audio)
1
: one that loafs : idler
2
: a low step-in shoe

Examples of loafer in a Sentence

an incorrigible loafer who never accomplished anything
Recent Examples on the Web Think skinny glasses, loafers with knee-high sheer socks, and elevated basics in a palette of grays and browns. Channing Smith, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, Brooklyn — who celebrated his 25th birthday on Monday — looked smart in a white shirt paired with dark gray pants and black loafers. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 These mahogany leather loafers ($912) from the brand’s ready-to-wear collection — replete with a genius coin purse that can hold money, lipstick, matches, all sorts of miscellaneous items — is the perfect example of that. The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 He’s dressed in black leather loafers, blue slacks, a neon construction vest, safety goggles and a hard hat. John Hyatt, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Pairing jeans with more classic elements—blazers, cashmere knits, and loafers, suggests Jordan—remains foolproof, with Weitz suggesting darker washes will deliver the most mileage. Max Berlinger, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2024 Offset your baggy denim with a tight-fitting white T-shirt, then throw some hardworking accessories on top: a designer bag, a wide leather belt, structured loafers. Jake Smith, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2024 As hors d'oeuvres circulated, attendees—Elizabeth Hurley, Adrien Brody, and Allison Williams among them—admired the handsome coats, iconic loafers, and elegant handbags on display. Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024 For the shoe stickler who wants high-quality kicks at good prices, choose between Vionic loafers, a brand Oprah featured on her Favorite Things list in 2016, 2017, and 2018, or comfy styles from Adidas, Reebok, Teva, Free People, and more in-demand brands. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loafer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps short for landloafer, from German Landläufer tramp, from Land + Läufer runner

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of loafer was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near loafer

Cite this Entry

“Loafer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loafer. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

loafer

noun
loaf·​er ˈlō-fər How to pronounce loafer (audio)
1
: a person who loafs
2
: a low shoe with no laces

More from Merriam-Webster on loafer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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