What does loafer mean?
A loafer is primarily a comfortable slip-on shoe, usually leather and traditionally associated with relaxed or smart-casual dress. The word also functions as an informal noun for someone who avoids work and as a verb meaning to idle or loaf. In the footwear sense, loafers are valued for their simple construction, flexibility, and lack of laces; in the figurative sense, the term suggests laziness or deliberate avoidance of responsibility. A person might describe a pair of suede loafers as elegant and versatile, while calling a colleague a loafer conveys disapproval, usually in an informal context. The verb is especially common in expressions such as 'loafer around,' which describes spending time without doing anything productive. Although the noun meaning 'idle person' can sound harsh, the shoe meaning is generally neutral and widely used in both British and American English.
A slip-on shoe without a fastening, traditionally made of leather.
"He polished his brown loafers before the interview."
Common in British and American English; often associated with smart-casual or traditional clothing.
A person who idles or avoids work.
"The manager was concerned that one of the team was a loafer."
Informal and generally disparaging; the term can imply laziness or lack of initiative.
To idle, do nothing productive, or avoid one's responsibilities.
"He loafered around the kitchen instead of fixing the shelves."
Informal; usually intransitive and commonly used with 'around.'
The plural is used for both the footwear sense and the informal sense of 'idle people.'
"The shop sells leather loafers and suede loafers."
A loafer can be a shoe or a person who avoids work: the word moves comfortably from footwear to unproductive idling.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does loafer come from?
The word loafer derives from the verb loaf, meaning to idle or work lazily, with the suffix -er. The sense 'a person who loafs' developed before the footwear sense, which came into use in the 19th century for slip-on shoes associated with informal or comfortable dress. The word is related to loaf, and its history reflects a shift from describing idle behavior to naming a style of footwear.
How loafer is actually used
As a noun for an idle person, loafer is informal and sometimes mildly disparaging. As a verb, it is informal and generally intransitive, especially in the phrase 'loafer around.'