step

/step/

Friendly

Explanation of the Word "Step"

Part of Speech: "Step" can be used as both a noun and a verb.

Meaning and Usage

1. As a Verb:

   • To Move: To move or proceed by lifting and placing your foot down.
   • To Enter a New Situation: To begin a new phase in life or take on new responsibilities.
   • To Measure Distance: To measure by counting the number of steps taken.
   • To Act or Respond: To take action, often in a specific way.

2. As a Noun:

   • Foot Movement: A single movement of lifting and placing the foot.
   • Mark or Impression: The mark left by a foot on a surface.
   • Distance: The distance covered in one step.
   • Position: A relative position in a series.

Advanced Usage

• Idioms:

  • "Step up to the plate" means to take on responsibility or action.
  • "Step on someone's toes" means to offend or interfere with someone.

• Phrasal Verbs:

  • "Step back" means to withdraw or take a break from a situation.
  • "Step down" means to resign or leave a position of authority.

Word Variants

• Stepped (adjective): Describing something that has steps or is involved in stepping.

  • Example: The stepped garden had various levels.

• Stepping (noun): The act of moving by steps.

  • Example: Stepping is important in many dance forms.

Different Meanings

• In Music: A “step” can refer to a musical interval of two semitones.
• In Construction: A “step” can refer to a solid block in which a mast is fixed.

Synonyms

• For the verb: move, walk, stride, tread, advance.
• For the noun: pace, stride, footprint, stair, level.

Conclusion

The word "step" can be used in many contexts, from everyday walking to complex ideas of progress and change.

Academic

Verb

1. move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation
   • She stepped into a life of luxury
   • he won't step into his father's footsteps
2. measure (distances) by pacing
   • step off ten yards
3. place (a ship's mast) in its step
4. walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified manner
   • step over to the blackboard
5. move with one's feet in a specific manner
   • step lively
6. furnish with steps
   • The architect wants to step the terrace
7. treat badly
   • This boss abuses his workers
   • She is always stepping on others to get ahead
8. cause (a computer) to execute a single command
9. put down or press the foot, place the foot
   • For fools rush in where angels fear to tread
   • step on the brake
10. shift or move by taking a step
    • step back

Noun

1. a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance
   • he taught them the waltz step
2. a solid block joined to the beams in which the heel of a ship's mast or capstan is fixed
3. a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
   • the police made casts of the footprints in the soft earth outside the window
4. a musical interval of two semitones
5. the sound of a step of someone walking
   • he heard footsteps on the porch
6. a short distance
   • it's only a step to the drugstore
7. relative position in a graded series
   • always a step behind
   • subtle gradations in color
   • keep in step with the fashions
8. support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
   • he paused on the bottom step
9. the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down
   • he walked with unsteady steps
10. the distance covered by a step
    • he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig
11. any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
    • the situation called for strong measures
    • the police took steps to reduce crime

Synonyms

• pace
• mistreat
• maltreat
• abuse
• ill-use
• ill-treat
• tread
• dance step
• footprint
• footmark
• tone
• whole tone
• whole step
• footfall
• footstep
• stone's throw
• gradation
• stair
• stride
• measure