DictionarymuleBackless footwear
noun

mule

A shoe or slipper without a back around the heel.

She wears leather mules with her favorite pair of jeans.

Etymology

The shoe name comes from French mule, used for a slipper. It is historically separate from the animal word despite the identical English spelling.

More examples

  • My heel slips out of this mule when I walk.
  • He keeps a pair of soft mules beside the bed.
  • These high-heeled mules look dressy enough for dinner.

Forms

mule · mules

Similar words

slipper
Slippers are typically soft indoor footwear and may cover the heel.
slide
Slides usually have an open toe and a simple strap.