footling

1 of 2

adjective

foo·​tling ˈfü-tᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce footling (audio) ˈfüt-liŋ How to pronounce footling (audio)
Synonyms of footlingnext
1
: lacking judgment or ability : inept
… footling amateurs who understand nothing …—E. R. Bentley
2
: lacking use or value : trivial
footling matters

footling

2 of 2

present participle of footle

Synonyms of footling

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Adjective

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Examples of footling in a Sentence

Adjective the assistant's job was to shield the president from such footling problems
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Adjective
By comparison with previous Establishment Clause cases, however, this lawsuit looked footling and rather mean. — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 21 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

footle

First Known Use

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of footling was in 1888

Browse Nearby Words

foot line
footling
footlining
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Cite this Entry

“Footling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footling. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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