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Definition of footfall

footfall

/ˈfʊt.fɔːl/
foot · fall
Plural:footfalls
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footfall Lexical Profile

footfall Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The sound of a footstep or of a person walking.

Example

"She listened closely to the quiet footfalls echoing down the empty hallway."

2

British The number of people entering a shop, shopping area, or venue over a specific period of time.

Example

"Retailers in the city center reported a significant increase in footfall during the holiday season."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for footfall

• Nearby Words

footbridge
footed
footer
footfall
footgear
foothill
foothold

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 16th century as a compound of the Old English roots 'fōt' (foot) and 'feallan' (to fall). The commercial sense referring to customer traffic emerged in British retail jargon in the late 20th century.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Footfall. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/footfall
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