DictionarybrogueDecoratively perforated shoe
noun

brogue

A sturdy shoe decorated with patterns of small holes.

Tiny decorative holes follow the seams of his leather brogues.

Etymology

The Irish word simply names a shoe. English adopted it for a particular sturdy style, whose modern form is recognized by decorative perforations.

More examples

  • She polished each brown brogue before the ceremony.
  • The shoemaker punched a pattern into the new brogues.
  • His brogues looked formal enough for the meeting.

Forms

brogue · brogues

Similar words

oxford
Describes a shoe's closed lacing, a brogue is distinguished by decorative perforations.