foley: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Professional
Quick answer
What does “foley” mean?
The reproduction of everyday sound effects added to films, television shows, video games, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The reproduction of everyday sound effects added to films, television shows, video games, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality.
The art and craft of creating and recording these sound effects; also refers to the artist (Foley artist) who performs this work or the dedicated studio space (Foley stage) where it is done.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is international industry jargon.
Connotations
Carries connotations of craftsmanship, creativity, and post-production technical skill in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general English but standard within the film/audio production industries globally.
Grammar
How to Use “foley” in a Sentence
The sound team will foley the entire fight scene tomorrow.We need to foley in the door creaks and cloth rustles.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foley” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We'll need to foley the horse carriage sequence in Pinewood next week.
- She expertly foleyed the sound of breaking glass using old light bulbs.
American English
- The team is scheduled to foley the car chase scenes on Tuesday.
- He foleyed all the sword clashes for the medieval drama.
adverb
British English
- This is not used.
American English
- This is not used.
adjective
British English
- The foley stage was cluttered with various shoes and surfaces.
- Her foley work on the period drama was exceptionally detailed.
American English
- We booked the foley studio for three full days.
- The foley artist's contribution was crucial for the film's realism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in media production company budgets and schedules.
Academic
Used in film studies, media studies, and sound design courses.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core terminology in audio post-production, filmmaking, game development, and animation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “foley”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “foley”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foley”
- Using 'foley' as a general term for any sound effect (it specifically refers to those created in post-production).
- Misspelling as 'folley' or 'foily'.
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the second syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. When referring specifically to Jack Foley or using it as a formal title (e.g., 'Foley Artist'), it is often capitalised. In general industry use describing the process ('we need to do the foley'), it is commonly lowercased.
Foley is a subset of sound design. It specifically refers to the live performance and recording of synchronous, everyday sound effects (feet, hands, props, cloth). Sound design is broader, encompassing created sounds (sci-fi weapons, monsters), atmospheres, and the overall sonic palette.
Yes, within the industry, it is commonly used as a verb (e.g., 'to foley a scene', 'we foleyed it yesterday'). This usage is professional jargon.
It is named after Jack Donovan Foley (1891–1967), a sound effects artist who pioneered the technique of performing sound effects live to picture during the early days of 'talkies' at Universal Studios.
The reproduction of everyday sound effects added to films, television shows, video games, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality.
Foley is usually technical/professional in register.
Foley: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfəʊ.li/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfoʊ.li/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lay down the foley”
- “In the foley pit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of FOLEY as 'FOotsteps and other sounds Layered EffectivelY' in films.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT TO BE CRAFTED AND PLACED.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the word 'foley'?