step
step
Pronunciation
step:
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel
/p/ - voiceless bilabial plosive
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: step
Plural: steps
Verb:
Base form: step
Third-person singular present: steps
Present participle: stepping
Past tense: stepped
Past participle: stepped
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A single movement of the foot, especially in walking or running.
Synonyms: stride, pace, footstep, tread
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a specific action, but concepts like "stillness" or "immobility" could be considered indirectly opposite.)
A short distance covered by one movement of the foot; a pace.
Synonyms: stride, pace, footstep
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
A stage or phase in a process, series, or sequence of actions.
Synonyms: stage, phase, phase, level, degree, point
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, but "completion" or "stagnation" could represent the absence of progression.)
A flat surface, usually one of a series, on which to place the foot in ascending or descending, such as on stairs or a ladder.
Synonyms: stair, tread, rung, platform, level
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
The sound produced by a foot coming into contact with a surface.
Synonyms: footfall, tread, thump
Antonyms: silence, quiet
Verb
To move by lifting one's foot and placing it down in a different position, as in walking.
Synonyms: walk, stride, pace, tread, go, move
Antonyms: stand, stop, halt, remain
To move a short distance in a specified direction.
Synonyms: move, advance, proceed, go
Antonyms: retreat, recede, withdraw
To take a specific action as part of a process or series of events.
Synonyms: act, proceed, take action, embark, initiate
Antonyms: hesitate, delay, procrastinate, pause
To press the foot down on something.
Synonyms: tread, stomp, press, stand on
Antonyms: lift, remove, avoid (stepping on)
Examples of Use
Books:
"Every step he took on the uneven path brought him closer to the hidden cottage, a place whispered about in local folklore." (From a work of fiction, illustrating a literal movement)
"The first step in understanding complex quantum mechanics is to grasp the fundamentals of classical physics." (From a science textbook, illustrating a stage in a process)
Newspapers:
"The government announced a new policy aimed at attracting foreign investment, calling it a 'bold step towards economic recovery.'" (The East African)
"Investigators are taking every step to ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry into the recent accident." (Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Breaking down the recipe, the author explains each step for baking the perfect sourdough bread, from activating the starter to the final bake." (Food52.com)
"In a surprising step, the tech giant announced it would open-source its proprietary software, sparking debate among developers." (TechCrunch.com)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Just one more step, and you'll be over the finish line!" (Dialogue from a sports drama, encouraging a final effort)
Music: "Take a little step to the left, take a little step to the right" (Lyrics from a popular dance song, giving instructions for movement)
Television (Reality Show): "Contestants must complete a series of physical challenges, with each step bringing them closer to the grand prize." (Description on a reality competition show, signifying progress)
Video Games: "Follow the glowing footsteps to find the hidden treasure – every step counts!" (In-game instruction or dialogue, emphasizing movement and progress)
General Public Discourse:
"We need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture before making any hasty decisions." (Common idiom, meaning to reconsider or reflect)
"It's a big step for him to move to a new city and start over, but I know he'll succeed." (Referring to a significant life change or challenge)
"Could you please step aside? I need to get through." (Direct request for someone to move out of the way)
"The baby took her first step today!" (Excited announcement about a child's developmental milestone)
10 Quotes Using Step
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu)
"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." (Neil Armstrong)
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." (Martin Luther King Jr.)
"Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time." (Lyndon B. Johnson)
"You cannot step into the same river twice." (Heraclitus)
"Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can't cross a chasm in two small jumps." (David Lloyd George)
"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." (Tony Robbins)
"The first step toward change is awareness." (Nathaniel Branden)
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer; let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." (Henry David Thoreau)
"The vision must be followed by the venture; it is not enough to stare up the steps – we must step up the stairs." (Vance Havner)
Etymology
The word "step" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back through thousands of years!
Imagine our ancient ancestors moving around. The original idea behind "step" comes from the simple act of moving your foot. The earliest known form of the word is from Proto-Germanic, an ancestor of languages like English, German, and Dutch. The word was something like *stapjan or *stapaz. This would have been used to mean "to step" or "a step" – the actual action of moving your foot, or the mark left by a foot.
When this word evolved into Old English, it became stæppan (for the verb) and stæpe (for the noun). The core meaning was still very much about the physical action of putting one foot in front of the other, or the trace left by that action (like a footprint).
Over time, the meaning of "step" broadened. People started using it to talk about:
A single movement of the foot: This is still its most common meaning today.
The distance covered by one such movement: Like saying "a few steps away."
A surface you place your foot on to go up or down: Think of a step on a staircase. This meaning likely developed because a staircase is a series of "steps" you take.
A stage or point in a process: This is a more abstract meaning, where a "step" represents a point in time or a particular action in a sequence, much like how you take one step after another in a journey.
So, from a very basic word describing the physical act of moving a foot, "step" has evolved to cover not just physical movement and parts of a staircase, but also progress, stages, and even the sound of someone walking!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Step
Here is a list of commonly used phrases and idioms involving the word "step":
Step by step: Gradually; one stage at a time.
In step: Moving or progressing at the same rate and in the same way as others; in agreement.
Out of step: Not moving or progressing at the same rate or in the same way as others; not in agreement.
Step up: To increase in amount, intensity, or effort; to take more responsibility.
Step down: To resign from a position or office; to reduce in intensity.
Step aside: To move out of the way; to withdraw from a position to allow someone else to take over.
Step in: To intervene in a situation; to help.
Step out: To leave a place for a short time; to go out socially.
Watch your step: To be careful; to proceed cautiously.
Take a step back: To consider a situation from a broader perspective; to pause before acting.
Take steps: To take action to achieve something.
Keep pace/step with: To move or progress at the same speed as someone or something else.
Step on it: To hurry up; to go faster (often used when driving).
Step on someone's toes: To offend someone by intruding on their responsibilities or area of expertise.
Step into someone's shoes: To take over someone's role or position.
Mind your step: Be careful where you walk.
A step in the right direction: An action that improves a situation.
Break step: To fall out of rhythm while marching or walking in unison.
Step to it: To begin an activity quickly and energetically.
Put a spring in one's step: To make someone feel more energetic and enthusiastic.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of step from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
