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footstep

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footstep

  • /ˈfʊtstɛp/

Where it comes from

From Middle English fotstep, fotstappe, from Old English *fōtstepe, *fōtstæpe (attested only in derivative fōtstappel (“footstep”)), equivalent to foot + step. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Foutstappe (“footstep”), West Frisian fuotstap (“footstep”), Dutch voetstap (“footstep”).

noun footsteps

  1. The mark or impression left by a foot; a track. The child watched as his footsteps in the sand were washed away by the waves.

    Similar: footprint, step, track

  2. broadly, figuratively, sometimes The indications or waypoints of a course or direction taken. To walk the footsteps of greatness requires that you start at the bottom of a long stair.

    Similar: point, path, step, trail

  3. The sound made by walking, running etc. The footsteps of the students echoed in the empty hall.

    Similar: footfall, plod, step, tread

  4. A step, as in a stair. The garden path had a small footstep down to the main walkway.

    Similar: riser, step

  5. The distance between one foot and the next when walking; a pace. Mere footsteps away from the victim lay the murder weapon.

    Similar: pace, step, stride

  6. The act of taking a step. Take one more footstep towards me, and I'll make you sorry!

    Similar: pace, plod, step, stride, tread

  7. obsolete An inclined plane under a hand printing press.

Translations

Every language

noun mark left by a foot

Españolhuella, paso
Kiswahilinyayo
Portuguêspegada, passo
Françaisempreinte, trace de pas
DeutschFußabdruck
Italianoimpronta, pedata
Русскийслед sled

noun signs of a course taken

Kiswahilinyayo
Portuguêspegada
Italianoorma
Русскийслед sled

noun sound of a footstep

Españolpisada, pisadura
Portuguêspasso
Françaispas, bruit de pas
Italianopasso
Русскийшаг šag

noun step, as in a stair

Españolpaso, peldaño
Portuguêsdegrau
Françaismarche
Italianogradino
Русскийступе́нька stupénʹka

noun distance of one footstep

Españolpaso
Portuguêspasso
Françaispas, enjambée
DeutschSchritt
Italianopasso
Русскийшаг šag

noun act of taking a step

Portuguêspasso
Françaismarche
Italianopasso
Русскийшаг šag

Talk about this word

Cite this
MLA

"footstep." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/footstep. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

footstep. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/footstep

Chicago

"footstep." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/footstep.

BibTeX
@misc{footstep_2026,
  title = {footstep},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/footstep},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}