The sole thing or person of a particular type is the only one of that type.
Their sole aim is to destabilize the Indian government.
Synonyms: only, one, single, individual More Synonyms of sole
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you have sole charge or ownership of something, you are the only person in charge of it or who owns it.
Many women are left as the sole providers in families after their husband has died.
Chief Hart had sole control over that fund.
3. countable noun
The sole of your foot or of a shoe or sock is the underneath surface of it.
...shoes with rubber soles.
He had burned the sole of his foot.
4. countable noun
A sole is a kind of flat fish that you can eat.
Sole is this fish eaten as food.
sole in British English1
(səʊl)
adjective
1. (prenominal)
being the only one; only
2. (prenominal)
of or relating to one individual or group and no other
sole rights on a patent
3. law
having no wife or husband
See also feme sole
4. an archaic word for solitary
Derived forms
soleness (ˈsoleness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French soule, from Latin sōlus alone
sole in British English2
(səʊl)
noun
1.
the underside of the foot
▶ Related adjectives: plantar, volar
2.
the underside of a shoe
3.
a.
the bottom of a furrow
b.
the bottom of a plough
4.
the underside of a golf-club head
5.
the bottom of an oven, furnace, etc
verb(transitive)
6.
to provide (a shoe) with a sole
7. golf
to rest (the club) on the ground, as when preparing to make a stroke
Derived forms
soleless (ˈsoleless)
adjective
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Latin solea sandal; probably related to solum the ground
sole in British English3
(səʊl)
nounWord forms: pluralsole or soles
1.
any tongue-shaped flatfish of the family Soleidae, esp Solea solea (European sole): most common in warm seas and highly valued as food fishes
2.
any of certain other similar fishes
Word origin
C14: via Old French from Vulgar Latin sola (unattested), from Latin solea a sandal (from the fish's shape)
sole in American English1
(soʊl)
adjective
1.
a.
without another or others; single; one and only
b.
acting, working, etc. alone without help
2.
of or having to do with only one (specified) person or group
3.
given or belonging to no other; not shared or divided; exclusive
the sole rights to a patent
4. Archaic
alone; solitary
5. Law
unmarried
see also feme sole
Word origin
ME < OE sol < L solus, alone < ? IE *sōlo- < base *se-, *s(e)wo-, apart > L suus, one's own
sole in American English2
(soʊl)
noun
1.
the bottom surface of the foot
2.
the part of a shoe, boot, sock, etc. corresponding to this
3.
the bottom surface of any of several objects, as a golf club
verb transitiveWord forms: soled or ˌsoling
4.
to furnish (a shoe, etc.) with a sole
Word origin
OFr < VL *sola, for L solea, sandal, sole, kind of fish < solum, sole, base, ground, bottom
sole in American English3
(soʊl)
nounWord forms: pluralsole or soles
any of various flatfishes (esp. family Soleidae) usually highly valued as food
Word origin
OFr < VL *sola, for L solea (see sole2): so named from its shape
Examples of 'sole' in a sentence
sole
Tuck into lemon sole and brown shrimps in the smart restaurant.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The sole survivor of the family just keeps asking for his parents.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Thus a sole trader or partnership would not be a corporation but limited companies are.
Chambers, Ian Business Studies Basic Facts (1990)
Whether their disagreement was the sole or main reason for their divorce is unknown.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This time he wore illegal shoes and had to change them for ones without orange soles.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She wore simple cloth shoes with rubber soles because she could not afford trainers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The sole aim of a metaphor is to call up a visual image.
Goshgarian, Gary Exploring language (6th edn) (1995)
The sole purpose of this was to protect the food chain but there is widespread abuse.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You could sole your shoes with it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This will be true for a sole trader and in the majority of partnerships.
Chambers, Ian Business Studies Basic Facts (1990)
It is the sole reason why we will not move.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is the one sole comfort in such times.
Elizabeth Gaskell North and South (1855)
He claims in a lawsuit that she set up a company to keep sole control of her cash.
The Sun (2012)
Step up with one foot, placing the entire sole flat on the step.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Thousands of people provide sole 24-hour care for others.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The controversial co-owner insisted the boardroom wars splitting the club will continue unless he takes sole control.
The Sun (2008)
Stand facing it and step on to it with one foot, keeping the sole flat.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This man was greatly afflicted, covered with boils and sores from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot.
Christianity Today (2000)
So whether you are a sole trader or head of a home business empire, it makes sense to keep costs to a minimum.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Pop in the oven and cook for 8 min, less if you are using plaice or thin lemon sole fillets.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Word lists with
sole
Types of fish
In other languages
sole
British English: sole ADJECTIVE
The sole thing or person of a particular type is the only one of that type.
Their sole aim is to destabilize the country.
American English: sole
Brazilian Portuguese: único
Chinese: 惟一的
European Spanish: único
French: unique
German: einzig
Italian: unico
Japanese: 唯一の
Korean: 유일한
European Portuguese: único
Latin American Spanish: único
British English: sole NOUN
The sole of your foot or of a shoe or sock is the underneath surface of it.
...shoes with rubber soles.
American English: sole
Brazilian Portuguese: sola
Chinese: 底
European Spanish: planta {or} suela
French: semelle
German: Sohle
Italian: piantadi piede
Japanese: 足の裏
Korean: 발바닥
European Portuguese: sola
Latin American Spanish: planta {or} suela
All related terms of 'sole'
feme sole
a single woman, whether spinster , widow , or divorcee
half-sole
a sole from the shank of a shoe to the toe
convex sole
a condition in which the foot of a horse is convex instead of concave
crepe sole
a shoe sole made of crepe rubber
Dover sole
another name for the European sole
inner sole
a piece of material cut to fit the shape of a shoe and inserted or fixed inside for fit, comfort , or protection
lemon sole
a European flatfish , Microstomus kitt, with a variegated brown body: highly valued as a food fish: family Pleuronectidae
sole agent
the only appointed agent or representative
sole trader
A sole trader is a person who owns their own business and does not have a partner or any shareholders.
dropped sole
a condition in which the foot of a horse is convex instead of concave
European sole
Solea solea , a tongue-shaped flatfish of the family Soleidae , also known as Dover sole or common sole: prefers shallow waters and is highly valued as a food fish
sole custody
Custody is the legal right to keep and look after a child, especially the right given to a child's mother or father when they get divorced .
sole legatee
the only person who receives a legacy
sole purpose
The purpose of something is the reason for which it is made or done.
sole intention
An intention is an idea or plan of what you are going to do.
sole motivation
Your motivation for doing something is what causes you to want to do it.
sole objective
Your objective is what you are trying to achieve.
sole proprietor
The sole proprietor of a business is the owner of the business, when it is owned by only one person.
sole beneficiary
the only beneficiary
sole stockholder
the only person who holds shares in a business
sole-charge school
a rural school with only one teacher
sole responsibility
If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them.
petrale
a variety of flounder , native to the Pacific coast of North America and commonly caught for food