Pronunciation: [fˈʊtnə͡ʊts] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the word "footnotes" is [ˈfʊt.noʊts]. The first syllable is pronounced with the short U sound, followed by the long O sound in the second syllable. The final syllable is pronounced with a long O sound and a silent T. A footnote is an explanatory or bibliographic note at the bottom of a page in a book or document. It is used to provide additional information or citation to support the text.
Footnotes are textual references or annotations that offer additional explanations, comments, or citations to specific points made in a document, primarily in scholarly or academic writing. Typically appearing at the bottom of a page, footnotes provide supplementary information that is not directly connected to the main body of the text. Commonly used in research papers, articles, and books, footnotes can serve various purposes such as defining terminology, offering background context, expanding on ideas, or presenting evidence to support claims.
Footnotes are denoted by a superscript number or symbol, usually placed after the relevant sentence or phrase in the main text. The corresponding footnote appears at the bottom of the page, containing the additional information or citation. They allow readers to access and engage with the source materials used in the document, enhancing the credibility of the arguments presented.
Footnotes can include a wide range of content, such as quotations, paraphrases, translations, explanations, and cross-references to other sources. They also serve as a way for authors to demonstrate their awareness of existing scholarship and to provide proper credit for previous work. By incorporating footnotes, writers can maintain the flow and coherence of the main text while simultaneously offering supplementary and clarifying information. Ultimately, footnotes facilitate a deeper understanding of the subject matter and contribute to the transparency and rigor of scholarly communication.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "footnotes" is composed of two parts: "foot" and "notes".
The term "foot" refers to the lower part of a person's leg below the ankle, used for walking and standing. In the context of writing, a "footnote" is a reference, comment, or explanatory note that is placed at the bottom of a page, usually separated from the main text by a horizontal line or a different formatting style.
The term "note" refers to a brief record or annotation, serving as additional information or clarification.
Thus, "footnotes" literally means "notes at the foot" or "notes at the bottom". The word still retains its original meaning, referring to the placement of supplementary information below the main text.
