step

verb
UK: /step/
US: /step/

  1. To move by lifting your foot and putting it down in a new place.

    1. I step carefully. [ ] [ ]
    2. He tried to step forward, but his leg was in pain. [ ] [ ]

  2. To move a short distance; to go.

    1. Step aside, please. [ ] [ ]
    2. Could you step into my office for a moment, please? [ ] [ ]

  3. To press down on a pedal or switch with your foot.

    1. Step on the brake. [ ] [ ]
    2. She had to step hard on the accelerator to pass the truck. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

footfall stage walk pace move tread footprint
step noun

  1. The act of lifting your foot and putting it down in a new place to move forward.

    1. Take a step. [ ] [ ]
    2. Each step took him closer to his goal. [ ] [ ]

  2. A stage in a process or course of action.

    1. This is the first step. [ ] [ ]
    2. What's the next step in the application process for university? [ ] [ ]

  3. A flat surface on which you put your foot when going up or down to a different level.

    1. Watch the step. [ ] [ ]
    2. The house has steps leading up to the front door. [ ] [ ]
step adjective

  1. Used to describe family relationships created when someone remarries.

    1. She is my step sister. [ ] [ ]
    2. My step father is a very kind and supportive person in my life. [ ] [ ]
step adverb

  1. Used to say that something happens gradually in stages.

    1. The problem will be resolved step by step. [ ] [ ]
    2. We advanced step by step through the jungle terrain. [ ] [ ]
step phrasal-verb

  1. To increase the speed or intensity of something.

    1. We need to step up our efforts. [ ] [ ]
    2. The company has to step up its marketing game to survive. [ ] [ ]

  2. To become involved in a difficult situation in order to help.

    1. He step in to solve the problem. [ ] [ ]
    2. When I saw the fight, I knew I had to step in to prevent violence. [ ] [ ]
step idiom

  1. To go beyond the accepted limits of behaviour.

    1. He stepped out of line. [ ] [ ]
    2. The player stepped out of line with his recent controversial comments. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "step" in English means: To move by lifting your foot and putting it down in a new place., To move a short distance; to go., To press down on a pedal or switch with your foot..

The phonetic transcription of "step" is /step/ in British English and /step/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "step": footfall, stage, walk, pace, move, tread, footprint.

Example usage of "step": "I step carefully.". More examples on the page.