Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

flatfoot

American  
[flat-foot, -foot] / ˈflætˌfʊt, -ˈfʊt /

noun

flatfeet, plural flatfoots plural
  1. Pathology.

    1. a condition in which the arch of the foot is flattened so that the entire sole rests upon the ground.

    2. Also flat foot. a foot with such an arch.

  2. Slang. a police officer; cop.

  3. Older Slang. a sailor.


flatfoot British  
/ ˈflætˌfʊt /

noun

  1. Also called: splayfoot.  a condition in which the entire sole of the foot is able to touch the ground because of flattening of the instep arch

  2. a slang word (usually derogatory) for a policeman

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of flatfoot

First recorded in 1865–70; flat 1 + 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.

See Examples For:

“Christmas in the Smokies,” its signature show, has been running since 1990, with a live orchestra and Appalachian storytelling, a flatfoot dancer and a fiddler.

From New York Times Dec. 21, 2022

There was clogging, stomping and flatfoot dancing; the Dutch and English square-dancing with the Africans and the Irish.

From Washington Post Oct. 26, 2021

At seventy-five, he has the florid, bulbous mug of a cartoon flatfoot, if that flatfoot were descended from Lithuanian Talmudists and six generations of Jerusalemites.

From The New Yorker Nov. 10, 2014

In comparison, Hauer’s silver-haired superman is more human than human, and finally more complex than Ford’s victimized flatfoot.

From Time Jun. 25, 2012

This, of course, might be expected, but it is surprising how often the significance of beginning flatfoot fails to be noticed even by the physician.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

The ward bosses, the flatfeet and the job hunters who came to deal with Higgins called Bill Boyle "Onie's Diplomatic Doorman."

From Time Magazine Archive

Like road-company Kenneth Starrs, inspectors general and their flatfoots roam through the private lives of public officials.

From Time Magazine Archive

One of the town flatfoots came down and stared in, chewing gum methodically.

From Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942 by Various

"Red wins—," and the rest was lost in the quick buzz of excitement, for at Bradfield's hundred dollar flatfoots were rare.

From Loaded Dice by Clark, Ellery H.

Well, they bursts, and out comes the flatfoots, opens the gates, and lets the Royal Artillery in; and then every man fills his sack with silver, and gold, and precious stones, after a leetle scrimmaging.

From Canada and the Canadians Volume I by Bonnycastle, Richard Henry

It would be amusing to watch those flatfoots sitting around trying to sift a motive out of the thing.

From Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942 by Various

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training