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noun

flatfoot

Flatfoot (noun) means a condition in which the arch of the foot is low or absent, so the sole lies flat against the ground. Example: “The doctor said his flatfoot could be helped with the right insoles.”

noun
1
A condition in which the arch of the foot is low or absent, so the sole lies flat against the ground.
"The doctor said his flatfoot could be helped with the right insoles."
2
(informal, dated) A police officer, especially one who patrols on foot.
"A flatfoot on the corner waved the traffic through."

How to use flatfoot

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the medical condition of having flat arches, or old slang for a beat cop.

When to use it

The "police officer" sense is informal and old-fashioned, mostly seen in vintage crime fiction.

Word forms

flatfooted past tense, flatfoots plural, flatfeet plural, flatfoots singular

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Fill the gap

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The doctor said his _____ could be helped with the right insoles.

Etymology

From "flat" + "foot," describing a foot without the usual arch.

patrolman splayfoot pes planus

Related words

Rhymes for flatfoot

See all rhymes for flatfoot →

Frequently asked questions

What does “flatfoot” mean?

The word “flatfoot” means a condition in which the arch of the foot is low or absent, so the sole lies flat against the ground. In plain terms, either the medical condition of having flat arches, or old slang for a beat cop.

How do you use “flatfoot” in a sentence?

Here is “flatfoot” used in a sentence: “The doctor said his flatfoot could be helped with the right insoles.”

What part of speech is “flatfoot”?

“Flatfoot” is a noun.

How many meanings does “flatfoot” have?

“Flatfoot” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a condition in which the arch of the foot is low or absent, so the sole lies flat against the ground.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial