noun
Uncommon
foley
FOH-lee
Foley (noun) means the art of creating and recording everyday sound effects for film, television, and games. Example: “The footsteps in the film were added later using foley.”
noun
1
The art of creating and recording everyday sound effects for film, television, and games.
"The footsteps in the film were added later using foley."
2
A person who creates such sound effects.
"The foley worked in a small studio full of props for sound effects."
How to use foley
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe craft (or the person doing it) of making realistic sound effects for film and TV, like footsteps or rustling clothes.
Common pairings
foley artist
foley stage
foley sound effects
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Word forms
- Plural
- foleys
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The footsteps in the film were added later using _____.
Etymology
Named after Jack Foley, a sound effects pioneer at Universal Studios in the early 20th century.
Class of 1900
foley joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Rhymes for foley
See all rhymes for foley →Frequently asked questions
What does “foley” mean?
The word “foley” means the art of creating and recording everyday sound effects for film, television, and games. In plain terms, the craft (or the person doing it) of making realistic sound effects for film and TV, like footsteps or rustling clothes.
How do you pronounce “foley”?
“Foley” is pronounced FOH-lee (/ˈfoʊli/ in IPA).
How do you use “foley” in a sentence?
Here is “foley” used in a sentence: “The footsteps in the film were added later using foley.”
What part of speech is “foley”?
“Foley” is a noun.
Where does the word “foley” come from?
The word “foley” dates back to around 1900. Named after Jack Foley, a sound effects pioneer at Universal Studios in the early 20th century.
Is “foley” a common word?
“Foley” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “foley” have?
“Foley” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the art of creating and recording everyday sound effects for film, television, and games.
