WordGarden.ioloafer
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈəʊfə/
US
- /ˈloʊfər/
Meanings
Noun
a slip-on shoe with a low heel
a lazy person who avoids work or effort
Beyond the definition
A loafer can be one of two things. Most often in everyday life, it means a soft, low shoe that you slip on without laces. In stories or comments about people, though, it can also mean someone who avoids work and spends too much time doing nothing useful. That second meaning is a little negative. You might read about a carefree young man called a loafer, or you might hear someone talk about a pair of brown loafers worn to the office.
The word "loafer" has two main meanings, and the right one usually becomes clear from the situation. One meaning is a person who avoids work or effort. In this sense, it describes someone who spends time idly instead of helping, studying, or doing their job. The tone is usually disapproving, though in some older stories it can sound lighter or more playful.
The other meaning is a type of shoe. A loafer is a low, comfortable shoe that you can put on easily without laces. It is often worn for everyday use, for work, or with smart-casual clothes. In this sense, the word is completely neutral. Someone might wear black loafers with a suit or soft leather loafers with summer clothes.
These two meanings are very different, so a good vocabulary card should include both. If the sentence is about behavior, duty, or laziness, it probably means an idle person. If the sentence is about fashion, leather, feet, or getting dressed, it almost certainly means the shoe. For example, "Everyone in town saw him as a loafer" points to the person, while "She bought a new pair of loafers for work" points to the footwear.
So the word can describe either a person who does not like to work or a simple slip-on shoe. Both meanings are common, and context tells you which one is meant.
Examples
- 1
Clothing
She wore black loafers with a white shirt and jeans.
- 2
Travel
I packed a pair of loafers because they are easy to slip on at the airport.
- 3
Office style
These leather loafers are casual, but they still look smart enough for the office.
- 4
Old-fashioned insult
My grandfather used to call anyone who slept past noon a loafer.
- Usage
calling someone a loafer sounds critical and a little old-fashioned
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Work ethic
He was no loafer; he worked two jobs while taking evening classes.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- loafernoun