fallout
UK /ˈfɔːlaʊt/ · US /ˈfɔlˌaʊt/ noun
Forms fallouts
- noun 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.
- noun The particles themselves.
- noun A negative side effect; an undesirable or unexpected consequence. “Psychological fallout in the shadow of terrorism”
- noun (rare) A declined offer in a sales transaction when acceptance was presumed.
- noun (rare) The person who declines such an offer.
- noun (radio, television, broadcasting) An impromptu guest used to fill in for another guest spot who is a no-show or who has cancelled last minute.
Synonyms
Etymology
Deverbal from fall out; fall + out.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “fallout”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details