# fallout

/ˈfɔˌɫaʊt/ (US) · /fˈɔːlaʊt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fallout
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. radioactive dust

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the dangerous radioactive dust that falls from the sky after a nuclear explosion.

For teachers: radioactive particles that are carried into the atmosphere after a nuclear explosion and gradually fall back to earth.

- The scientists measured the level of radioactive fallout in the soil after the accident.
- Prevailing winds carried the radioactive fallout hundreds of miles from the blast site, contaminating agricultural land across several borders.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the material itself.

### 2. bad consequences

noun · CEFR B2

the unpleasant results or effects that follow a bad situation or argument.

For teachers: the adverse results or incidental consequences of an event, especially a political or social scandal.

- The company is still dealing with the political fallout from the CEO's resignation.
- The diplomatic fallout from the failed negotiations led to a cooling of relations between the two neighbouring countries for several years.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'from'.

### 3. television guest

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a person who is asked to appear on a show at the last minute because someone else cancelled.

For teachers: a substitute guest used to fill a broadcasting slot when the original participant is unavailable.

- The talk show host had to find a fallout when the lead actor missed his flight.
- The production assistant kept a list of reliable fallouts who could be at the studio within an hour if a primary guest cancelled.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialised industry term; most English speakers will only know the 'consequences' or 'nuclear' meanings.

## Examples

- The company is still dealing with the fallout from the scandal.
- Political analysts are predicting significant fallout for the ruling party following the recent economic crisis.
- While the immediate crisis was averted, the long-term diplomatic fallout strained relations between the two nations for nearly a decade.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.