high-stepped
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective 1. Describing a gait or movement characterized by lifting the feet or legs unusually high off the ground: This term is used to describe the way a person or animal walks or moves, emphasizing a deliberate, elevated step. It often implies a proud, showy, or exaggerated manner of walking.
Usage
The adjective "high-stepped" is used attributively (before a noun) to describe a specific type of stride or movement. It is not commonly used predictively (after a linking verb like "is" or "was").
Examples
- The soldier marched with a high-stepped gait during the parade.
- We watched the high-stepped prance of the show horses.
- His high-stepped walk made him look very confident and formal.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often associated with specific contexts:
- Equestrian: Describing the trained, elevated gait of certain horse breeds in shows.
- Military or Marching Bands: Describing a formal, exaggerated marching style.
- Figurative Use: Can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe someone behaving in a proud or ostentatious manner.
Variants and Related Words
- High-stepping (Adjective): This is a more common variant with the same meaning. It can be used both attributively and predictively.
- Example: The drum major led the band with a high-stepping march. / The horse was high-stepping.
- High-step (Verb): The action of walking with high steps.
- Example: The models were instructed to high-step down the runway.
Synonyms
- Prancing: Moving with high, springy steps (often used for horses or joyful movement).
- Strutting: Walking in a proud, stiff way, often to impress others.
- Marching: Walking with regular, measured steps, often in a military context.
Antonyms
- Shuffling: Walking without lifting the feet properly.
- Dragging: Pulling the feet slowly along the ground.
- Slouching: Walking with a drooping, lazy posture.
Adjective
- having or moving with a high step
- his high-stepped stride
- a high-stepping horse