Foot vs. Feet: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Foot" is a singular noun for the lower extremity of the leg or a unit of measurement (12 inches), while "feet" is its plural form, referring to multiple such extremities or units.
Key Differences
The word "foot" refers to the lower part of the leg below the ankle in humans and some animals. "Feet" is simply the plural form of "foot," used when referring to more than one foot. Both terms are essential in describing anatomy and movement.
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In measurement, a "foot" is a unit equal to 12 inches, commonly used in the imperial system. "Feet" is used to denote multiple units of this measurement. While "foot" quantifies a singular dimension, "feet" is used for larger measurements.
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The term "foot" also represents the base or bottom of an object. In contrast, "feet" can refer to multiple bases or supports of various items. Each term helps in spatially orienting or describing objects.
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"Foot" can be a part of various idioms and expressions in English, like "foot the bill." "Feet," in similar linguistic usage, appears in phrases like "cold feet." Both are embedded in language beyond their literal meanings.
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In poetry, "foot" denotes a basic unit of meter or rhythm. "Feet" in this context refers to multiple such units in a verse. Both terms are integral to the study and composition of poetry.
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Comparison Chart
Linguistic Context
Singular base or part of idioms
Plural bases or in plural expressions
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Foot and Feet Definitions
Feet
Plural form of foot in measurement.
The bridge spans 300 feet across the river.
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Feet
Plural form in poetic meter.
The verse had five feet of iambic pentameter.
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Foot
To pay or settle a bill (idiomatic).
He offered to foot the bill for dinner.
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Feet
Plural of foot, referring to lower extremities.
The baby stood on her feet for the first time.
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Foot
The lower extremity of the vertebrate leg that is in direct contact with the ground in standing or walking.
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Oct 19, 2023
Feet
Multiple bases or supports of objects.
The table has four feet for stability.
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Foot
A structure used for locomotion or attachment in an invertebrate animal, such as the muscular organ extending from the ventral side of a mollusk.
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Feet
Expressing hesitation or reluctance (idiomatic, "cold feet").
She got cold feet before the performance.
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Foot
The lowest part; the bottom:the foot of a mountain; the foot of a page.
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Oct 19, 2023
Foot
The end opposite the head, top, or front:the foot of a bed; the foot of a parade.
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Foot
The termination of the leg of a piece of furniture, especially when shaped or modeled.
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Foot
(Printing)The part of a type body that forms the sides of the groove at the base.
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Foot
Speed or momentum, as in a race:"the only other Democrats who've demonstrated any foot till now"(Michael Kramer).
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Oct 19, 2023
Foot
A unit of poetic meter consisting of stressed and unstressed syllables in any of various set combinations. For example, an iambic foot has an unstressed followed by a stressed syllable.
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Foot
In classical quantitative verse, a unit of meter consisting of long and short syllables in any of various set combinations.
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Foot
Abbr. ft. or ftA unit of length in the US Customary and British Imperial systems equal to 12 inches (0.3048 meter). See Table at measurement.
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Foot
FootsSediment that forms during the refining of oil and other liquids; dregs.
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Foot
To go on foot; walk. Often used with it:When their car broke down, they had to foot it the rest of the way.
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Foot
To dance. Often used with it:"We foot it all the night / weaving olden dances"(William Butler Yeats).
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Foot
To add up (a column of numbers) and write the sum at the bottom; total:footed up the bill.
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Foot
A biological structure found in many animals that is used for locomotion and that is frequently a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg.
A spider has eight feet.
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Foot
(anatomy) Specifically, a human foot, which is found below the ankle and is used for standing and walking.
Southern Italy is shaped like a foot.
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Foot
(often used attributively) Travel by walking.
We went there by foot because we could not afford a taxi.
There is a lot of foot traffic on this street.
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Foot
The base or bottom of anything.
I'll meet you at the foot of the stairs.
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Foot
The part of a flat surface on which the feet customarily rest.
We came and stood at the foot of the bed.
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Foot
The end of a rectangular table opposite the head.
The host should sit at the foot of the table.
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Foot
A short foot-like projection on the bottom of an object to support it.
The feet of the stove hold it a safe distance above the floor.
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Foot
A unit of measure equal to twelve inches or one third of a yard, equal to exactly 30.48 centimetres.
The flag pole at the local high school is about 20 feet high.
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Foot
(music) A unit of measure for organ pipes equal to the wavelength of two octaves above middle C, approximately 328 mm.
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Foot
Foot soldiers; infantry.
King John went to battle with ten thousand foot and one thousand horse.
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Foot
(cigars) The end of a cigar which is lit, and usually cut before lighting.
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Foot
(sewing) The part of a sewing machine which presses downward on the fabric, and may also serve to move it forward.
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Foot
(printing) The base of a piece of type, forming the sides of the groove.
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Foot
(phonology) The parsing of syllables into prosodic constituents, which are used to determine the placement of stress in languages along with the notions of constituent heads.
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Foot
(nautical) The bottom edge of a sail.
To make the mainsail fuller in shape, the outhaul is eased to reduce the tension on the foot of the sail.
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Foot
(billiards) The end of a billiard or pool table behind the foot point where the balls are racked.
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Foot
(botany) In a bryophyte, that portion of a sporophyte which remains embedded within and attached to the parent gametophyte plant.
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Foot
(malacology) The muscular part of a bivalve mollusc or a gastropod by which it moves or holds its position on a surface.
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Foot
(geometry) The point of intersection of one line with another that is perpendicular to it.
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Foot
To sum up, as the numbers in a column; sometimes with up.
To foot (or foot up) an account
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Foot
The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal; esp., the part below the ankle or wrist; that part of an animal upon which it rests when standing, or moves. See Manus, and Pes.
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Foot
The muscular locomotive organ of a mollusk. It is a median organ arising from the ventral region of body, often in the form of a flat disk, as in snails. See Illust. of Buccinum.
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Foot
That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as, the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking.
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Foot
The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as of a mountain, column, or page; also, the last of a row or series; the end or extremity, esp. if associated with inferiority; as, the foot of a hill; the foot of the procession; the foot of a class; the foot of the bed; ; the foot of the page.
And now at footOf heaven's ascent they lift their feet.
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Foot
Fundamental principle; basis; plan; - used only in the singular.
Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason.
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Foot
Recognized condition; rank; footing; - used only in the singular.
As to his being on the foot of a servant.
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Foot
A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third of a yard. See Yard.
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Foot
Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry, usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the cavalry.
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Foot
A combination of syllables consisting a metrical element of a verse, the syllables being formerly distinguished by their quantity or length, but in modern poetry by the accent.
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Foot
To set on foot; to establish; to land.
What confederacy have you with the traitorsLate footed in the kingdom?
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Foot
To sum up, as the numbers in a column; - sometimes with up; as, to foot (or foot up) an account.
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Foot
To renew the foot of, as of a stocking.
If you are for a merry jaunt, I'll try, for once, who can foot it farthest.
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Foot
A linear unit of length equal to 12 inches or a third of a yard;
He is six feet tall
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Foot
The foot of a human being;
His bare feet projected from his trousers
Armored from head to foot
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Foot
The lower part of anything;
Curled up on the foot of the bed
The foot of the page
The foot of the list
The foot of the mountain
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Foot
A support resembling a pedal extremity;
One foot of the chair was on the carpet
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Foot
Lowest support of a structure;
It was built on a base of solid rock
He stood at the foot of the tower
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Foot
An army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot;
There came ten thousand horsemen and as many fully-armed foot
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Foot
A member of a surveillance team who works on foot or rides as a passenger
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Foot
Pay for something;
Pick up the tab
Pick up the burden of high-interest mortgages
Foot the bill
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Foot
Lower part of the leg below the ankle in humans.
She injured her foot while hiking.
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Foot
A unit of rhythm in poetry.
The poem's foot consisted of two syllables.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does feet refer to in measurement?
The plural of foot, more than one unit of 12 inches.
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Can foot also mean to pay a bill?
Yes, in the idiomatic phrase "to foot the bill."
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What is the etymology of foot and feet?
Originating from Old English "fōt" (foot) and "fēt" (feet).
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Is foot ever used in plural contexts?
No, "feet" is the correct plural form.
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Are foot and feet interchangeable?
No, they're used based on singular or plural context.
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How do foot and feet differ in construction terminology?
"Foot" refers to a single unit, "feet" to multiple units in measuring length.
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How are foot and feet used in anatomy?
"Foot" for one, "feet" for both or more than one.
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What are 'flat feet' in medical terms?
A condition where the arches of the feet are flattened.
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How do foot and feet relate to shoe sizes?
Shoe sizes are based on the length of the foot in inches or centimeters.
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Are foot and feet used differently in sports?
Yes, depending on singular or plural reference to the player's feet.
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How do foot and feet differ in idiomatic use?
"Foot" is used in singular idioms, "feet" in plural or specific phrases like "cold feet."
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Nov 15, 2023
Can foot refer to the end of a bed or item?
Yes, as the lower part or base.
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Nov 15, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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