: one that is a certain and easy winner

Examples of shoo-in in a Sentence

a shoo-in for the position of secretary of state
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.
When the offseason began, Alonso was considered a shoo-in to re-sign with the New York Mets, the only team he's ever known. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Focus Features Gory and gruesome, The Substance was never a shoo-in for mainstream success. Megan McCluskey, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025 Once presumed to be a shoo-in for reelection next year, Bass now looks politically DOA. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025 Olympic officials threatened to hold up two things considered shoo-ins — the awarding of the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake City and the elevation of the top U.S. Olympics official, Gene Sykes, to the powerful International Olympic Committee. Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shoo-in 

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shoo-in was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near shoo-in

Cite this Entry

“Shoo-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoo-in. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

shoo-in

noun
ˈshü-ˌin
: one that is a certain and easy winner

More from Merriam-Webster on shoo-in

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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