footy
Footy (noun) means informal British/Australian word for football; depending on the region, it can mean soccer, rugby league, or Australian rules football. Example: “A group of mates were kicking a footy around in the park.”
How to use footy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, affectionate way of saying "football" — the exact sport it means depends on where you are.
Very informal; mainly used in British and Australian English.
In the UK, footy usually means soccer; in Australia it often means Aussie rules or rugby league — Americans would say "football" or specify the sport instead.
Word forms
more footy comparative, footies plural, most footy superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A group of mates were kicking a _____ around in the park.
Etymology
Compare Dutch vochtig. In the senses “insignificant, paltry; poorly kept, shoddy” Merriam-Webster suggests derivation from French foutu, past participle of foutre (“to copulate, fuck, screw”).
Rhymes for footy
See all rhymes for footy →Frequently asked questions
What does “footy” mean?
The word “footy” means informal British/Australian word for football; depending on the region, it can mean soccer, rugby league, or Australian rules football. In plain terms, a casual, affectionate way of saying "football" — the exact sport it means depends on where you are.
How do you pronounce “footy”?
“Footy” is pronounced FUU-tee (/ˈfʊti/ in IPA).
How do you use “footy” in a sentence?
Here is “footy” used in a sentence: “A group of mates were kicking a footy around in the park.”
What part of speech is “footy”?
“Footy” is a noun.
Is “footy” a common word?
“Footy” is an uncommon word in modern English.