Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Being the only one; single and isolated from others: "Sole" describes something that is the only one of its kind, with no others existing or being considered.
   • Not divided or shared with others: "Sole" indicates exclusive possession, control, or responsibility, not shared with anyone else.

2. Noun:

   • A type of flatfish: A "sole" is a right-eyed flatfish, many species of which are valued as food, commonly found in warm seas, especially European waters.
   • The underside of the foot: The "sole" is the bottom surface of the human foot.
   • The underside of footwear or a tool: The "sole" is the bottom part of a shoe, boot, or the head of a golf club that makes contact with the ground.

3. Verb:

   • To put a new sole on: To "sole" means to fit a new bottom part onto a shoe or boot.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • She is the sole owner of the company. (She is the only owner.)
  • The sole purpose of this meeting is to discuss the budget. (The single, exclusive purpose.)
• Noun (Animal):
  • We ordered grilled sole for dinner. (We ordered the flatfish called sole.)
• Noun (Anatomy/Object):
  • The stone hurt the sole of my foot. (The bottom of my foot.)
  • The soles of his shoes were worn thin. (The bottom parts of his shoes.)
• Verb:
  • The cobbler will sole and heel these old boots. (The cobbler will fit new bottoms and heels.)

Advanced Usage

• "Sleight of sole": A playful pun on "sleight of hand," sometimes used humorously in contexts involving dancing or footwork.
  • The tap dancer's routine was a brilliant sleight of sole.
• Legal/Business Context: Frequently used to denote exclusive rights or ownership.
  • The author retained the sole copyright to her work.
  • He has sole custody of the children. (He has exclusive legal custody.)

Variants and Related Words

• Solely (adverb): Only; not involving anyone or anything else.
  • The decision rests solely with the director.
• Soled (adjective): Having a sole or soles of a specified kind.
  • He wore rubber-soled shoes for the hike.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Only, single, lone, solitary, exclusive, unique.
• Noun (Footwear): Bottom, underside.
• Noun (Fish): Flatfish (specific types include Dover sole, lemon sole).

Related Phrases

• From head to sole: A variation of "from head to toe," meaning completely.
  • She was dressed in black from head to sole.
• To have sole responsibility: To be the only person responsible.
  • The manager has sole responsibility for the project's success.

Idioms

• The sole of discretion: An idiom emphasizing someone as the very embodiment of discretion (less common, literary).
  • In such delicate matters, he was the sole of discretion.

Adjective

1. being the only one; single and isolated from others
   • the lone doctor in the entire county
   • a lonesome pine
   • an only child
   • the sole heir
   • the sole example
   • a solitary instance of cowardice
   • a solitary speck in the sky
2. not divided or shared with others
   • they have exclusive use of the machine
   • sole rights of publication

Noun

1. right-eyed flatfish; many are valued as food; most common in warm seas especially European
2. the underside of the foot
3. lean flesh of any of several flatfish
4. the underside of footwear or a golf club

Verb

1. put a new sole on
   • sole the shoes