What does sole mean?
Sole means “the only one” when used as an adjective, often expressing exclusivity or an unshared responsibility: a person may be the sole owner of a business or the sole survivor of an accident. In this use, it is more formal and emphatic than simply saying “only,” and it is especially common in legal, commercial, and official language. As a noun, a sole is the underside of the foot or the bottom section of a shoe. The word derives from Latin sōlus, meaning “alone,” and is related to solo, solitude, and solitary. Its combination of precise meaning and long history makes it useful whenever a statement concerns uniqueness, exclusivity, or the physical base of the foot or footwear.
Being the only one of a particular kind or category; exclusive to one person or thing.
"She has sole authority to approve the proposal."
Often used in formal or legal contexts to emphasize that no other person or group shares the relevant role or responsibility.
The underside of the foot, or the bottom part of a shoe or other item.
"The sole of the shoe was covered in mud."
In anatomy, the plural soles commonly refers to the soles of both feet.
The plural refers to multiple soles of feet, shoes, or other objects; in anatomical usage, it often means the soles of both feet.
"The soles of his boots were worn through."
From Latin sōlus, meaning “alone,” sole carries the idea that there is exactly one: one owner, one responsibility, or one remaining survivor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sole
The adjective and noun meanings both trace to Latin, though they developed through related forms: sōlus meant “alone” and gave rise to the English adjective sole, while the anatomical and footwear sense developed through Latin solea, a related word associated with the sole of the foot. English inherited these meanings through Old and Middle English. The root remains visible in cognates such as solo, solitude, solitary, and soliloquy.
Related word forms
How sole is actually used
As an adjective, sole is formal and emphatic, especially in legal and business contexts such as sole owner and sole responsibility. As a noun, it is used for the underside of the foot or the bottom of a shoe; in anatomical contexts, the plural soles usually means the soles of the feet.
Easily confused with sole
A sole can be the bottom of a foot or shoe, while a soul is the spiritual or immaterial essence of a person.