step
gb/stˈɛp/ us/stˈɛp/
A1
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
event
1
One movement of the foot
The act of moving one foot forward or to the side while walking.
Usage pattern:
to take [a] step
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'step' with 'foot' when counting distance; 'step' refers to movement, not the body part.
Synonyms
stride (Often suggests a longer or more confident step)
Antonyms
stand still (Means not moving at all)
Collocations
take a step
|first step
|step forward
|step back
|small step
Themes
daily life
|movement
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She took a step closer to the door.
- He paused after a few steps to catch his breath.
- 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.
- She made two steps forward.
- The boy took his first step today.
- I took one step back.
- They walked ten steps to the shop.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Stage in a process
One action in a plan or process to reach a goal.
Usage pattern:
the next step [in something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'step' as a physical movement here; in this sense, it is metaphorical for part of a process.
Synonyms
stage (Refers to a phase in a process, not necessarily an action)
Antonyms
completion (Indicates the end rather than an intermediate stage)
Collocations
first step
|next step
|important step
|final step
|take steps
Themes
daily life
|planning
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Learning the basics is the first step toward mastering the skill.
- Our next step is to test the product.
- 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.
- This is the last step of the job.
- What is the next step?
- I will take steps to fix it.
- We must follow each step carefully.
Verb
A1
action
3
Put foot in place
To move your foot onto or into a place while walking.
Usage pattern:
to step [in/onto/over something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'step' with 'walk'; 'step' can mean just one movement, not continuous motion.
Synonyms
tread (More formal or literary; can imply careful or heavy walking)
Antonyms
stand still (Means not moving from where you are)
Collocations
step forward
|step back
|step inside
|step over
|step onto
Themes
movement
|daily life
|daily_life
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She stepped onto the train quickly.
- Be careful not to step on the wet paint.
- He stepped aside to let her pass.
- I stepped into the room quietly.
- They stepped over the puddle.
Learner examples
- Please step inside.
- Do not step on the grass.
- He stepped over the rope.
- I stepped into the shop.
- She stepped back from the dog.
Noun
A2
entity
4
Part of staircase to stand on
One of the flat parts you walk on when using stairs.
Synonyms
stair (Usually refers to the whole structure; 'step' is one part)
Antonyms
landing (A flat area between sets of stairs)
Collocations
top step
|bottom step
|stone steps
|wooden steps
Themes
home
|architecture
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She sat on the top step and waited.
- Be careful, that step is loose.
- 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.
- Be careful of the first step.
- There are five steps to my house.
- The cat is sleeping on the top step.
- She cleaned each step.
Verb
B1
action
5
Enter role or situation
To take someone's place or join in when needed.
Usage pattern:
to step into [a role/situation]
Synonyms
substitute (Focuses on replacing someone; less figurative)
Antonyms
withdraw (Means to remove oneself from a role or situation)
Collocations
step into a role
|step into someone's shoes
|step into action
Themes
work
|social
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She stepped into the manager's role during his absence.
- He stepped into the discussion to offer his opinion.
- 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.
- He stepped into the game when a player was hurt.
- She stepped into the meeting when her boss was away.
- They stepped in to help us.
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.