noun
Uncommon
foothold
FUUT-hohld
Foothold (noun) means a secure place to put one's foot when climbing. Example: “He searched the rock face for a solid foothold.”
noun
1
A secure place to put one's foot when climbing.
"He searched the rock face for a solid foothold."
2
A secure position from which further progress can be made (figurative).
"The company finally gained a foothold in the Asian market."
How to use foothold
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA firm place to stand, literally when climbing or figuratively when starting to succeed somewhere new.
Common pairings
gain a foothold
secure foothold
lose one's foothold
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Word forms
- Plural
- footholds
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He searched the rock face for a solid _____.
Etymology
From foot + hold.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “foothold” mean?
The word “foothold” means a secure place to put one's foot when climbing. In plain terms, a firm place to stand, literally when climbing or figuratively when starting to succeed somewhere new.
How do you pronounce “foothold”?
“Foothold” is pronounced FUUT-hohld (/ˈfʊthoʊld/ in IPA).
How do you use “foothold” in a sentence?
Here is “foothold” used in a sentence: “He searched the rock face for a solid foothold.”
What part of speech is “foothold”?
“Foothold” is a noun.
Is “foothold” a common word?
“Foothold” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “foothold” have?
“Foothold” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a secure place to put one's foot when climbing.
