fallout

Meaning

Noun

• 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.
• The particles themselves.
• A negative side effect; an undesirable or unexpected consequence.
• A declined offer in a sales transaction when acceptance was presumed.
• The person who declines such an offer.
• An impromptu guest used to fill in for another guest spot who is a no show or who has cancelled last minute

Related

Similar words

• repercussions, blowback

Origin

• From the verb fall out; fall + out.