Word
footing
Phoneticsfoot·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfʊtɪŋ/
UK/fˈʊtɪŋ/
Definitions
01physical balance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the ability to stand or move without falling on a difficult surface.
n. the state of having a stable or secure position for the feet; physical balance on a surface.
“He lost his footing on the icy path and nearly fell into the bushes.”
“The climbers struggled to maintain their footing as the loose shale shifted beneath their boots with every upward step.”
02basis of a relationship
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the position or status you have when dealing with other people.
n. the basis or foundation on which a relationship, organisation, or process exists.
“The two companies are now on an equal footing after the new contract.”
“The peace treaty was designed to put the neighbouring nations on a more secure diplomatic footing after decades of border disputes.”
03structural foundation
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Engineering Technical
n. the wide part at the bottom of a wall that supports a building.
n. the widened base of a foundation wall or column, designed to distribute the structural load over a larger area of soil.
“The builders poured concrete into the trenches to create a solid footing for the house.”
“The structural engineer insisted on deeper footings to account for the high clay content and potential for soil expansion during the rainy season.”
Synonyms
04accounting total
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Accounting Technical
n. the act of adding up a column of numbers to find the total.
n. the process of summing a column of figures in an account or ledger.
“She checked the footing of the sales column to ensure the books balanced.”
“An error in the initial footing of the balance sheet led to a significant discrepancy that was only discovered during the final audit.”
Real-World Examples
“A woman who “may have lost her footing” has died in an incident in Lake Ontario over the weekend.” “Despite being on a war footing it is likely that Uefa and Fifa will reach a public truce in the next few weeks that would enable the competition to go ahead.” Etymology
From Middle English fotyng; equivalent to foot + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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