noun

footnote

FUUT-noht

noun

A short note at the bottom of a page giving extra comment, reference, or citation.

"The claim was backed up by a footnote citing the original study."

A minor event, overshadowed by something bigger it relates to (figurative).

"The scandal became just a footnote in the company's long history."

verb

To add explanatory notes to a text.

"The editor footnoted every unfamiliar term in the manuscript."

How to Use Footnote

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small note at the bottom of a page, or figuratively, a minor detail in a bigger story.

Common pairings

footnote to history add a footnote

footnoted past tense, footnotes plural, footnotes singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The claim was backed up by a _____ citing the original study.

From foot + note, describing a note placed at the "foot," or bottom, of the page.

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