Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Physically steady and unlikely to fall: Describes someone or something that moves or stands with great stability and balance, especially on uneven or difficult ground.
   • Confident and unlikely to make mistakes: Describes a person, decision, or action that is characterized by certainty, sound judgment, and a lack of hesitation or error.

Usage and Examples

• Describing physical stability:

  • The mountain goats are sure-footed on the steep cliffs.
  • She made her way down the rocky path with sure-footed confidence.

• Describing mental or judgmental confidence:

  • The company's sure-footed strategy led to its success.
  • He gave a sure-footed performance in his first major role.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Metaphorical Use: Often used to describe non-physical actions, such as artistic, intellectual, or strategic endeavors, implying they are executed with skill and without missteps.
  • The author's sure-footed prose guides the reader through a complex narrative.
• Comparative and Superlative Forms: "more sure-footed," "most sure-footed." The hyphen is typically retained in these forms.

Variants and Related Words

• Surefootedness (noun): The quality of being sure-footed.
  • The dancer's surefootedness was remarkable.
• Sure-footedly (adverb): In a sure-footed manner.
  • She navigated the negotiations sure-footedly.

Synonyms

• Agile: Able to move quickly and easily. (Emphasizes quickness alongside steadiness.)
• Steady: Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.
• Confident: Feeling or showing certainty about something.
• Unerring: Always right or accurate.

Antonyms

• Clumsy: Awkward in movement or action.
• Unsteady: Not firmly fixed, supported, or balanced.
• Hesitant: Tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• (As) sure-footed as a goat: An idiom emphasizing exceptional physical stability, often in difficult terrain.
  • The guide moved through the canyon as sure-footed as a goat.
• A sure-footed start: A beginning that is confident and without early errors.
  • The new policy got off to a sure-footed start, gaining public approval.

Adjective

1. not liable to error in judgment or action
   • most surefooted of the statesmen who dealt with the depression- Walter Lippman
   • demonstrates a surefooted storytelling talent- Michiko Kakutani
2. not liable to stumble or fall
   • on surefooted donkeys