What do you call a sound that accompanies a visual action, like footsteps or a door opening?

The correct term for a sound that accompanies a visual action, such as footsteps or a door opening, is referred to as a Foley sound. Foley is specifically the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added in post-production to enhance the audio quality of a film or video. These sounds are synchronized with the visuals to create a more immersive experience for the audience.

While sound effects generally encompass a variety of sounds used in media, including those created digitally or through other means, Foley sounds are characterized by their specific origin in live-action performances designed to enhance realism. This makes Foley distinct from ambient sounds, which are the background sounds that help establish the atmosphere but do not directly accompany visual actions. Dialogue represents spoken words in a film, further differentiating it from Foley and sound effects. Therefore, in the context of synchronizing sounds with visual actions, Foley is the most accurate term to describe those sound effects created specifically to match what is seen on screen.