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Definition of loafer
loafer
/ˈloʊ.fɚ/
loaf · er
Plural:loafers
loafer Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
loafer Game Scores & Validity
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Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A casual, slip-on leather shoe with a flat heel and no laces.
Example
"He wore a sharp navy suit paired with polished brown loafers."
2
A person who avoids work and spends their time idly.
Example
"The manager dismissed him as a loafer who contributed nothing to the team's weekly goals."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for loafer Antonyms
View all antonyms for loafer• Rhymes for loafer
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 19th century: from the verb 'loaf' (to spend time idly) + '-er'. The use of the word to describe a slip-on shoe originated in the 1930s, reflecting the shoe's casual, relaxed nature.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Loafer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/loafer