oxford

1 of 4

noun (1)

ox·ford ˈäks-fərd

: a low shoe laced or tied over the instep

: a soft durable cotton or synthetic fabric made in plain or basket weaves

called also oxford cloth

Oxfordian

2 of 4

adjective or noun

Ox·ford·ian (ˈ)äks-¦fȯr-dē-ən

: oxonian

Oxfordian

3 of 4

adjective

Ox·ford·ian (ˈ)äks-¦fȯr-dē-ən

: of or relating to the 17th Earl of Oxford or to the doctrine that he was the author of the dramatic works usually attributed to Shakespeare

Oxfordian

4 of 4

noun (2)

Ox·ford·ian (ˈ)äks-¦fȯr-dē-ən

plural -s

: a supporter of the doctrine that the 17th Earl of Oxford was the author of the dramatic works usually attributed to Shakespeare

Examples of oxford in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

Harry wears the same gray tweed trench coat and polished brown leather oxfords throughout the film. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026 Liu was wearing a black blazer, starched white culottes, and black oxfords. — Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 Black leather Florsheim oxfords—the best shoes, and just $145. — Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 17 Mar. 2026 This midi can be paired with white flat oxfords and a leather tote for the office, or heels and a clutch for a dinner out. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for oxford

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Oxford, England

Adjective or noun

Oxford, England + English -ian

Adjective

Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford †1604 English courtier and lyric poet + English -ian

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of oxford was in 1843

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

oxfly

oxford

Oxford

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Oxford.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxford. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oxford

noun

ox·ford ˈäks-fərd

: a low shoe laced over the middle of the foot

: oxford cloth

Geographical Definition

Oxford

geographical name

Ox·ford ˈäks-fərd

variants or Medieval Latin Oxonia

äk-ˈsō-nē-ə

city on the Thames River in south central England that is the capital of the county of Oxfordshire and site of the University of Oxford population 160,000

Oxfordian

äks-ˈfȯr-dē-ən

adjective or noun

oxford

noun (1)

adjective or noun

adjective

noun (2)

Examples of oxford in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Geographical Definition

geographical name

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