Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 footling · foot·ling · IPA /ˈfuːt.lɪŋ/ 01 adj. small and of little importance; as, a footling gesture. 1. small and of little importance; as, a footling gesture. Syn. fiddling, lilliputian, little, niggling, paltry, petty, piddling, picayune, small, trivial.