WordGarden.iofootnote
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈʊtnəʊt/
US
- /ˈfʊtˌnoʊt/
Meanings
Noun
a note at the bottom of a page or end of a text
a minor detail or insignificant part of a larger story
Verb
to add or cite something in a footnote
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're reading a history book, and the author mentions something that needs a little more explaining, maybe a tricky date or an unfamiliar term. That's where a footnote comes in. It is a small note placed at the bottom of a page in a book, article, or document. It gives extra information connected to a specific part of the text, such as the source of a quote, a short explanation, or added detail that would interrupt the main writing if it stayed in the paragraph. Think of it as a quiet side comment to the reader.
These notes are not only for facts. Writers also use them to add a bit of humor, share a personal remark, or point readers to more detail. You might see one that says, "For a fuller account, see Chapter 5," or one that gives a brief comment the writer did not want to put in the main text.
A footnote is a small note placed at the bottom of a page in a piece of writing, such as a book, article, research paper, or legal document. It gives extra information without breaking the flow of the main text. It may look minor, but it often does important work.
One of its main jobs is to cite sources and give credit to other writers. This is still a major use today. In academic writing, these notes often show where a quote, fact, or idea came from, helping readers check the source and follow the writer's research.
But they do more than cite sources. They can clarify a point, explain a term, add background, mention another view, or include a brief side remark. A writer may use one to explain something in simpler words, give a useful detail, or add a comment that would feel awkward in the main paragraph.
Footnotes are usually marked by small raised numbers or symbols in the main text, which match notes at the bottom of the page. They are a quiet but useful tool that adds context, support, and detail to a piece of writing. You can think of them as small doors that open beside the main path, giving curious readers a chance to step aside for a moment and learn a little more.
Examples
- 1
Citation
I added a footnote to explain where the quote came from.
- 2
Academic text
The answer is in footnote 7, not in the main text.
- 3
Small mention
The report mentions the risk only in a footnote.
- 4
Historical importance
Without new evidence, the scandal may end up as a footnote in the company's history.
- Phrasea footnote in history
something that becomes a small, almost forgotten part of a larger story
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- citation
- source note
Contrast
- body text
- endnote
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- add a footnote
- footnote marker
- footnote reference
- see footnote
Word family
Explore
- bibliography
- reference apparatus
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- footnotenounverb
Forms
- footnotespluralnounverb
- footnotedpast tenseverbnoun
- footnoting-ing formverbnoun