Search Dictionary
Definition of footwear

footwear

/ˈfʊt.wɛr/
foot · wear
JUMP TO:

footwear Lexical Profile

footwear Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Outer coverings for the feet, such as shoes, boots, sandals, and slippers, designed for protection, comfort, or fashion.

Example

"Guests are politely requested to remove their outdoor footwear before entering the temple."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for footwear

Word Nuance & Usage

As an uncountable mass noun, 'footwear' does not take a plural 's'; when referring to individual items, one must use phrases like 'a piece of footwear' or 'pairs of footwear'.

• Nearby Words

footstep
footstool
footway
footwear
footweary
footwell
footwork

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century (circa 1880) as a compound of 'foot' and 'wear' to collectively describe shoes, boots, and similar items, especially in manufacturing and retail contexts.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Footwear. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/footwear
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.