shoeblack

/'ʃu:blæk/

Thân thiện

A shoeblack polishes a customer's leather shoes on a city street.

Definition

Noun: A person whose job is to clean and polish shoes and boots, typically for payment. This term is now somewhat dated.

Usage

The word "shoeblack" is a compound noun that specifically refers to a person performing a service. It is used to identify someone's occupation. It is considered an old-fashioned term, with "shoe shiner" being more common in modern English.

Examples

• In historical novels, you might read about a shoeblack working on a busy street corner.
• The young shoeblack expertly polished the gentleman's leather boots to a high shine.
• Before the advent of modern shoe care products, a shoeblack was a common sight in large cities.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe someone who performs humble or servile work, though this usage is rare and can be considered pejorative.
  • He felt like a mere shoeblack in the grand corporate hierarchy.

Variants and Related Words

• Shoe shiner (n): The more contemporary and common term for a person who polishes shoes.
• Bootblack (n): A synonym for "shoeblack," also dated.

Synonyms

• Bootblack
• Shoe shiner

Antonyms

• There is no direct antonym, as it is a specific occupation. Contextual opposites could be customer or client.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a person who polishes shoes and boots

Từ đồng nghĩa

• bootblack