Definition

A small hill located at the base of a larger mountain or mountain range.

Example

The hikers started their journey at the foothill before climbing the steep mountain.

Conversation

Have you ever hiked up a foothill before?

Yeah, I went to one last summer, and it was amazing!

I love how peaceful it is at the foothill of the mountain.

Definitely! It's the perfect spot for a picnic.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Foothill is formed from "foot" (from Old English "fōt", meaning the lower part of the leg) and "hill" (from Old English "hyll", meaning a raised area of land). The word "foothill" refers to a hill that is at the base of a larger mountain or hill, resembling the foot of a larger structure.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'foot' as the base of something, and the 'hill' as a raised area — a foothill is like the base of a larger mountain.

Visually Confused Words