plimsolls

A child wears plimsolls for gym class.

Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • Type of footwear: "plimsolls" are lightweight, inexpensive canvas shoes with rubber soles, typically used for sports or casual wear. They are characterized by a simple design, often with a vulcanized rubber sole and a canvas upper. The term is primarily used in British English.

Usage Examples

• (These are simple canvas shoes suitable for sports.)
• (Inexpensive, casual canvas shoes with rubber soles.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be in one's plimsolls": to be wearing these shoes, often implying readiness for informal activity.

  • He was still in his plimsolls when he got called to the office. (He was wearing his casual canvas shoes.)

• "plimsoll line": This is a distinct term unrelated to the shoe; it refers to a marking on a ship's hull indicating the maximum safe loading depth. However, note that this does not derive from the shoe but from Samuel Plimsoll, a British politician.

Variants and Related Words

• Plimsoll (singular): a single shoe of this type.

  • One of his plimsolls had a hole in the sole. (One of his canvas shoes was damaged.)

• Gym shoe (synonym): a shoe worn for physical exercise, similar to a plimsoll.

  • He laced up his gym shoes before the workout. (He put on his sports shoes.)

Synonyms

• Sneaker (American English): a canvas or leather shoe with a rubber sole, used for sports or casual wear.
• Trainer (British English): a shoe designed for sports, often more robust than a plimsoll.
• Tennis shoe: a type of athletic shoe, similar to a plimsoll.

Related Idioms

• "to plod along in plimsolls": an informal phrase meaning to continue with a simple, unglamorous routine.
  • He just plods along in his plimsolls, doing his job day after day. (He lives a simple, unremarkable life.)