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Definition of footwear
footwear
/ˈfʊt.wɛr/
foot · wear
footwear Lexical Profile
CEFR
B1
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
Top 5k
footwear Game Scores & Validity
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WWF
Wordle Guess
• 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 footwearWord 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
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.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Footwear. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/footwear