# fallout

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈfɔːlaʊt/ · frequency rank #11,378

## Definitions
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.

## Etymology
Deverbal from fall out; fall + out.

## Easily confused with
- **fallow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fallout-vs-fallow)
- **Falmouth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fallout-vs-falmouth)
- **Fallon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fallon-vs-fallout)

## Common misspellings (8)
`afllout`, `fallotu`, `falloutt`, `falluot`, `falolut`, `falout`, `ffallout`, `flalout`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/fallout