English Explanatory Dictionary

fallout

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The event of small airborne particles falling to the ground in significant quantities as a result of major industrial activity, volcano eruption, sandstorm, nuclear explosion, etc.
  2. The particles themselves.
  3. A negative side effect; an undesirable or unexpected consequence.
  4. A declined offer in a sales transaction when acceptance was presumed.
  5. The person who declines such an offer.
  6. An impromptu guest used to fill in for another guest spot who is a no-show or who has cancelled last minute.

Pronunciation

/ˈfɔːlaʊt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-fallout.wav /ˈfɔlˌaʊt/

Word forms

fallout fallouts

Etymology

Deverbal from fall out; fall + out.

Synonyms

blowback repercussions

Related words

rainout smokefall

Derived words

area of militarily significant fallout atmospheric fallout borrower fallout chemical fallout executive fallout fallout contour fallout pattern fallout prediction fallout risk fallout safe height of burst fallout shelter fallout winds fallout wind vector plot investor fallout militarily significant fallout nonfallout nuclear fallout radioactive fallout soot fallout
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