loafer

noun

loaf·​er ˈlō-fər 

1

: one that loafs : idler

2

: a low step-in shoe

Synonyms of loafer

• slug
• drone
• bum
• snail
• idler
• slouch
• sluggard
• layabout
• deadbeat
• lazybones

Examples of loafer in a Sentence

an incorrigible loafer who never accomplished anything

Recent Examples on the Web

The pierced collection that debuted for Spring/Summer 2023 remains one of the brand’s most popular styles, so this season, Burch introduced a new pierced pump and loafer. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

Layer a blazer over a bike short, swap sneakers for loafers, and the shift from Pilates to a corner table happens without a second thought. — Zoë MacKay, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Wear them with your favorite vintage tee and sneakers or a polo tee and loafers for a casual ensemble, or slip on a sleek blouse and kitten heels for a night out with friends. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 Oct. 2026

Highlights include the slate gray glen plaid suit Reubens wore in 2016’s Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, which comes with the white shirt, red bowtie, pocket square, and white loafers that complete the outfit. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps short for landloafer, from German Landläufer tramp, from Land + Läufer runner

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing loafer

• penny loafer

Rhymes for loafer

• gopher

Kids Definition

loafer

noun

loaf·​er ˈlō-fər 

1

: a person who loafs

2

: a low shoe with no laces