sound of footsteps; walking sound
Refers to the sound made by shoes or boots while walking, often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
I heard footsteps from the hallway.
彼の靴音が近づいてくる。
His footsteps are approaching.
Compound of 靴 (くつ, 'shoes') and 音 (おと, 'sound'). The reading くつおと is a straightforward combination of the two components.