first-foot
noun
the first person to cross the threshold of a house on New Year's Day.
first-footing
-
a word derived from
first-foot.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It meant Hogmanay on 31 December with its feasting, music, dancing and traditions such as first-footing was the country's main winter celebration.
From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2025
She says there were other traditions going on around Scotland, such as first-footing, which refers to the first person to cross the threshold of a home after midnight on New Year's Day.
From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2025
Now Astley is following in the musical first-footing footsteps of Robbie Williams, Alicia Keys and Sam Ryder, having been chosen to play the concert shown annually either side of the midnight fireworks on BBC One.
From BBC ● Dec. 30, 2023
This island-wide massed first-footing will pick out only those dwellings whose outside light is left on.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 31, 2017
There was, in Scotland, a first-footing independent of the hot pint.
From A Righte Merrie Christmasse The Story of Christ-Tide by Arthur C. Behrend
