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step
/stɛp/
a movement made by lifting one foot and putting it down
She took a step forward to greet her friend.
She moved her foot forward to approach her friend.
general
a movement made by lifting one foot and putting it down
He took a step back to avoid the falling object.
He moved his foot backward to stay out of the way.
Can be used literally or metaphorically to describe progress.
general
a stage in a process or series of actions
The first step in solving the problem is identifying the cause.
The initial action needed is to find out what caused the issue.
Often used in instructions or guides.
general
to tread or walk carefully or cautiously
She stepped carefully over the broken glass.
She walked cautiously to avoid cutting herself.
Can imply careful or deliberate movement.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Literal vs. Metaphorical Use
Be mindful of whether 'step' is used to describe physical movement or progress in a process.
Gold Rule
Verb Agreement
When 'step' is used as a verb, it can be followed by 'on', 'into', or 'out of' to indicate direction.
Word Origin
Old English 'stæppe', from Proto-Germanic 'stapiz', meaning 'a footstep'. Related to 'stap' (foot) and 'stapian' (to step).
Usage Notes
Can be used both literally (physical movement) and metaphorically (progress or stages in a process).
Word Breakdown
step
a single movement of the foot
rootEnglish Dictionary