: of or relating to tap dancing done in soft-soled shoes without metal taps

Examples of soft-shoe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two shared a nickname for Satan: Old Slew Foot, a colonial-era sobriquet for the cloven-hoofed devil that spoke to the legendary tap and soft-shoe performer. Alex Bhattacharji, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2024 Dressed identically in pale blue suits, bow ties and straw hats, the dancers synchronize blissfully with the music (a soft-shoe tune by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer) and with one another. Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of soft-shoe was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near soft-shoe

Cite this Entry

“Soft-shoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soft-shoe. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

soft-shoe

noun
ˈsȯf(t)-ˈshü
: a form of stage dancing developed from tap dancing but done with soft-soled shoes and at a slower tempo and more relaxed rhythm

More from Merriam-Webster on soft-shoe

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!