step
gb/stˈɛp/ us/stˈɛp/
A1
English
~ 1800
lépés, lép, lépcsőfok, foklap, átvesz, bekapcsolódik, beugrik
NOUN
A1
1
lépés
A2
Usage pattern:
to take [a] step
She took a step closer to the door.
Egy lépéssel közelebb lépett az ajtóhoz.
He paused after a few steps to catch his breath.
Néhány lépés után megállt, hogy kifújja magát.
The baby’s first steps were a big moment for the family.
I heard footsteps on the stairs.
Please take one step back from the edge.
Learner examples
He took a step to the left.
Egy lépést tett balra.
She made two steps forward.
Két lépést tett előre.
The boy took his first step today.
I took one step back.
They walked ten steps to the shop.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'step' with 'foot' when counting distance; 'step' refers to movement, not the body part.
Meaning
One movement of the foot
Collocations
take a step
|first step
|step forward
|step back
|small step
Synonyms
stride (Often suggests a longer or more confident step)
Antonyms
stand still (Means not moving at all)
Themes
daily life
|movement
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The act of moving one foot forward or to the side while walking.
A single movement made by lifting one foot and putting it down in a different place when walking, running, or moving.
NOUN
A2
2
lépés
A2
Usage pattern:
the next step [in something]
Learning the basics is the first step toward mastering the skill.
Az alapok megtanulása az első lépés a készség elsajátítása felé.
Our next step is to test the product.
A következő lépésünk a termék tesztelése.
This is an important step in your career development.
Follow these steps to assemble the furniture.
Taking small steps can lead to big results.
Learner examples
The first step is to wash your hands.
Az első lépés az, hogy megmossuk a kezünket.
This is the last step of the job.
Ez a munka utolsó lépése.
What is the next step?
I will take steps to fix it.
We must follow each step carefully.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'step' as a physical movement here; in this sense, it is metaphorical for part of a process.
Meaning
Stage in a process
Collocations
first step
|next step
|important step
|final step
|take steps
Synonyms
stage (Refers to a phase in a process, not necessarily an action)
Antonyms
completion (Indicates the end rather than an intermediate stage)
Themes
daily life
|planning
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
One action in a plan or process to reach a goal.
One of a series of actions or stages needed to achieve something.
VERB
A1
3
lép
A2
Usage pattern:
to step [in/onto/over something]
She stepped onto the train quickly.
Gyorsan fellépett a vonatra.
Be careful not to step on the wet paint.
Vigyázz, nehogy rálépj a nedves festékre.
He stepped aside to let her pass.
I stepped into the room quietly.
They stepped over the puddle.
Learner examples
Please step inside.
Kérem, lépjen be.
Do not step on the grass.
Ne lépj a fűre.
He stepped over the rope.
I stepped into the shop.
She stepped back from the dog.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'step' with 'walk'; 'step' can mean just one movement, not continuous motion.
Meaning
Put foot in place
Collocations
step forward
|step back
|step inside
|step over
|step onto
Synonyms
tread (More formal or literary; can imply careful or heavy walking)
Antonyms
stand still (Means not moving from where you are)
Themes
movement
|daily life
|daily_life
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move your foot onto or into a place while walking.
To move by lifting your foot and putting it down in a particular place or direction.
NOUN
A2
4
She sat on the top step and waited.
Leült a legfelső lépcsőfokra, és várt.
Be careful, that step is loose.
Vigyázz, az a lépcsőfok mozog.
There are three steps leading to the front door.
He tripped on the bottom step.
The stone steps were slippery after rain.
Learner examples
I sat on the step outside.
Leültem a kinti lépcsőfokra.
Be careful of the first step.
Vigyázz az első lépcsőfokra.
There are five steps to my house.
The cat is sleeping on the top step.
She cleaned each step.
Meaning
Part of staircase to stand on
Collocations
top step
|bottom step
|stone steps
|wooden steps
Synonyms
stair (Usually refers to the whole structure; 'step' is one part)
Antonyms
landing (A flat area between sets of stairs)
Themes
home
|architecture
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
One of the flat parts you walk on when using stairs.
A flat horizontal surface on which you put your foot when going up or down stairs or similar structures.
VERB
B1
5
Usage pattern:
to step into [a role/situation]
She stepped into the manager's role during his absence.
A távollétében átvette a vezetői feladatokat.
He stepped into the discussion to offer his opinion.
Bekapcsolódott a beszélgetésbe, hogy elmondja a véleményét.
When the lead actor fell ill, his understudy stepped in.
Parents often have to step in when children argue.
Learner examples
I stepped into her job for one week.
Egy hétre átvettem a munkáját.
He stepped into the game when a player was hurt.
Beállt a játékba, amikor az egyik játékos megsérült.
She stepped into the meeting when her boss was away.
They stepped in to help us.
Meaning
Enter role or situation
Collocations
step into a role
|step into someone's shoes
|step into action
Synonyms
substitute (Focuses on replacing someone; less figurative)
Antonyms
withdraw (Means to remove oneself from a role or situation)
Themes
work
|social
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To take someone's place or join in when needed.
To begin doing someone else's job, role, or responsibility, often temporarily; or to become involved in a situation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
step
IPA
GB/stˈɛp/
US/stˈɛp/
Syllables & stress
step (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (step)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: step
- Plural: steps
Verb
- Base: step
- 3rd Person Singular: steps
- Present Participle: stepping
- Past: stepped
Word family
Forms
steps
noun
stepping
verb
stepped
verb
Related words
Advanced or less common
stepladder
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: stepping Verb
- Irregular past: stepped Verb
Expressions
in someone's shoes
1/ˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz ʃˈuz/
idiom
In another person's situation
To imagine being in another person's situation and thinking how you would feel or act.
Examples
- If I were in your shoes, I would apologize.
- You should try to put yourself in her shoes before judging.
one step ahead
1/wˈʌn stˈɛp əhˈɛd/
idiom
More prepared than others
To be slightly more advanced or ready than other people.
Examples
- Our team is always one step ahead of the competition.
- She planned her trip so well that she was one step ahead at every stage.
out of step (with)
1/ˈaʊt əv stˈɛp wˈɪθ/
idiom
Not matching others' pace or ideas
Not behaving, thinking, or moving at the same time or in the same way as others.
Examples
- His views are out of step with most people here.
- The soldiers were out of step during the parade.
step by step
1/stˈɛp bˈaɪ stˈɛp/
fixed phrase
Gradually and in order
Doing something slowly and carefully in small stages.
Examples
- We will solve this problem step by step.
- Follow the instructions step by step.
- She followed the instructions step by step.
- She explained the process step by step.
watch your step
1/wˈɔt͡ʃ jˈʊɹ stˈɛp/
idiom
be careful moving/behaving
Be careful when you walk or when you act, so you don't get hurt or cause trouble.
Examples
- Watch your step on the wet floor.
- You'd better watch your step around the boss.
watch your step
2/wˈɔt͡ʃ jˈʊɹ stˈɛp/
idiom
Be careful walking or acting
Be careful about where you walk or how you behave so you don't get hurt or cause problems.
Examples
- Watch your step on these icy stairs.
- You’d better watch your step around the boss today.