step
[noun]
Synonyms:
- footstep, footfall, footprint, pace, print, stride, track
- stage, move, phase, point
- action, act, deed, expedient, means, measure, move
- degree, level, rank
[verb]
Synonyms:
- walk, move, pace, tread

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Related Words: act, action, motion

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English Thesaurus: action, act, act of violence/kindness/defiance etc, activities, behaviour, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

Twelve Step (also Twelve Step program), 12-step (program) noun [countable]
a method of helping people stop drinking alcohol, using drugs etc, developed by Alcoholics Anonymous

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

I. step¹ S2 W1 /step/ noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: stæpe]

1. MOVEMENT [countable] the movement you make when you put one foot in front of or behind the other when walking:
a video of baby’s first steps
He took one step and fell.
step back/forwards/towards etc
Tom took a step back and held the door open.
I had to retrace my steps (=go back the way I came) several times before I found the shop.

2. ACTION [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed
step in (doing) something
This is the first step in reforming the welfare system.
step to do something
The president took immediate steps to stop the fighting.
step towards
an important step towards peace

3. IN A PROCESS [countable] a stage in a process, or a position on a scale:
Each book goes up one step in difficulty.
Record your result, and go on to step 3.
step in
the next step in the process
Drug companies influence the scientific process every step of the way (=during every stage).
Describe step by step (=describing each stage) how you went about achieving your goal.
Moving to Cottage Grove represented a definite step up (=something that is better than you had before) for my parents.
He saw the job as a step down (=something that is worse than he had before).

4.
STAIR [countable] a flat narrow piece of wood or stone, especially one in a series, that you put your foot on when you are going up or down, especially outside a building:
Jenny sat on the step in front of the house, waiting.
He climbed the wooden steps and rang the bell.
a flight of (=set of) broad stone steps ⇒ doorstep¹(1)

5. DISTANCE [countable] the short distance you move when you take a step while walking Synonym : pace:
Roy was standing only a few steps away.

6. SOUND [countable] the sound you make when you put your foot down while walking Synonym : footstep:
I heard a step in the corridor.

7. DANCING [countable] a movement of your feet in dancing:
the steps for the Charleston

8. in step
a) having ideas or actions that are like those of other people
in step with
He isn’t in step with ordinary voters.
b) moving your feet so that your right foot goes forward at the same time as people you are walking with

9. out of step
a) having ideas or actions that are different from those of other people
out of step with
This type of training is out of step with changes in the industry.
b) moving your feet in a different way from people you are walking with

10. watch your step (also mind your step British English)
a) to be careful about what you say or how you behave:
You’d better watch your step – he’s the boss here.
b) to be careful when you are walking:
Mind your step – the railing’s loose.

11. fall into step (with somebody)
a) to start walking beside someone at the same speed as them:
Maggie fell into step beside her.
b) to start thinking or doing the same as other people:
The administration has fallen into step with its European allies on this issue.

12. be/keep/stay one step ahead (of somebody)
a) to be better prepared for something or know more about something than someone else:
A good teacher is always at least one step ahead of his students.
b) to manage not to be caught by someone who is trying to find or catch you

13. WAY SOMEBODY WALKS [countable usually singular] the way someone walks, which often tells you how they are feeling:
Gianni’s usual bouncy step

14. steps [plural] British English a stepladder

15. EXERCISE [uncountable] a type of exercise you do by walking onto and off a flat piece of equipment around 15–30 centimetres high:
a step class

16. MUSIC [countable] American English the difference in pitch between two musical notes that are separated by one key on the piano Synonym : tone British English

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. step² S3 W3 verb (past tense and past participle stepped, present participle stepping) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]

1. to raise one foot and put it down in front of or behind the other one in order to walk or move
step forward/back/down/into etc
He stepped back to let me through.
I stepped outside and closed the door.
Mr. Ives? Please step this way (=walk in the direction I am showing you).

2. to bring your foot down on something Synonym : tread British English
step in/on etc
I accidentally stepped in a puddle.
You’re stepping on my foot.

3. step on sb’s toes to offend or upset someone, especially by trying to do their work:
I’m not worried about stepping on anybody’s toes.

4. step out of line to behave badly by breaking rules or disobeying orders

5. step on it (also step on the gas American English) spoken to drive faster
⇒ step into the breach at breach¹(7)
step down (also step aside) phrasal verb
to leave your job or official position, because you want to or because you think you should:
Morris should step aside until the investigation is completed.
step down as
Eve Johnson has stepped down as chairperson.
step down from
He was forced to step down from his post.
step forward phrasal verb
to come and offer help, information etc:
Police are appealing for witnesses to step forward.
step in phrasal verb
to become involved in an activity, discussion, or disagreement, sometimes in order to stop trouble Synonym : intervene:
The military may step in if the crisis continues.
Parents have stepped in to provide homework help in the afternoon program.
step into something phrasal verb
to start doing something, or become involved in a situation:
Sally stepped into the role of team leader.
step out phrasal verb
to leave your home or office for a short time Synonym : pop out British English:
She’s just stepped out for a few minutes.
step up phrasal verb

1. step something ↔ up to increase the amount of an activity or the speed of a process in order to improve a situation:
The health department is stepping up efforts to reduce teenage smoking.
stepped-up security at airports

2. (also step up to the plate) especially American English to agree to help someone or to be responsible for doing something:
Residents will have to step up if they want to rid this area of crime.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

step- /step/ prefix
[Language: Old English; Origin: steop-]
used to show that someone is related to you not by birth but because a parent has married again:
her stepdad
the problems of stepfamilies

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

step
noun
I. in walking, running, etc.
ADJ. large, small | heavy, light | quick, slow | hesitant | involuntary I gasped and took an involuntary step backwards.
careful | unsteady
VERB + STEP go, take He'd only gone a few steps, when he realized he'd left his wallet behind.
retrace You might find your ticket if you retrace your steps back to the car.
PREP. ~ (away) from She was only a step away from the cliff edge.
~ towards He took a hesitant step towards her.
PHRASES a spring in your step I had a spring in my step when I walked into that office for the last time.
a step ahead/behind He lagged a few steps behind.
a step back/backwards/forward/sideways, a step closer/nearer, with each/every step He grew fainter with every step.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

step
II. in dancing
ADJ. dance | jive, tango, etc.
VERB + STEP execute, perform He executed some jive steps on the pavement.
learn | keep in She had trouble keeping in step.
PREP. in ~, out of ~ (with) He was out of step with the music.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

step
III. action taken in order to achieve sth
ADJ. big, considerable, giant, huge, massive | small | critical, crucial, decisive, essential, great, important, key, major, vital | first, initial, preliminary | final, last | additional, further, next What's the next step?
logical, necessary, reasonable We shall take all necessary steps to prevent public disorder.
active | forward, positive | backward, retrograde The new law is seen by many as a backward step.
bold, brave, reckless | dramatic, drastic, extraordinary, rare, unprecedented, unusual | irreversible, irrevocable It suddenly struck her that having a baby was an irrevocable step.
careful, precautionary | faltering, tentative They have taken their first tentative steps towards democracy.
practical | welcome | immediate, urgent I shall take immediate steps to have this matter put right.
false One false step could mean disaster.
VERB + STEP go, make, take | follow If you follow all the steps, nothing will go wrong.
PREP. ~ in The move was a first step in establishing a union.
~ to/towards The talks mark a step towards peace.
PHRASES bring sth/be/come/move a step closer/nearer (to sth) Greece moved a step closer to the World Cup finals with last night's win.
a short step from/to sth It's only a short step from this disorder to complete chaos.
a step back/backwards/forward The offer constitutes a considerable step forward.
step by step a step-by-step guide to setting up an aquarium
a step further If he goes one step further with this crazy idea, I'll resign.
a step in the right direction The new speed limit does not solve the problem, but it is a step in the right direction.
a step on the road/way to sth

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

step
IV. on stairs, a ladder, etc.
ADJ. bottom, top
VERB + STEP mind Mind the step!
PREP. on a/the ~ She paused on the top step.
PHRASES a step down/up There are three steps down to the garden.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

step
V. steps: set of steps
ADJ. front | back | outside
QUANT. flight You have to go up four flights of steps to get up to the roof.
VERB + STEP ascend, climb, go/run, etc. up, mount She went up a flight of steps to the side entrance.
descend, go/run, etc. down
STEP + VERB lead to sth The front steps lead to an enormous terrace.
PREP. ~ (down/up) to the steps down to the pool
PHRASES the bottom/foot/top of the steps

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

step
verb
ADV. briskly, quickly | hastily, smartly He stepped back smartly from the edge.
slowly | silently | delicately, lightly | carefully, gingerly He stepped gingerly over the cat.
boldly | aside, away, back, close, down, forward, inside, out, outside Would you like to step inside for a few minutes?
PREP. across, from, in, in front of, into, on, onto, out of, over, past, through, towards Don't step in the puddle.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

step

take a step
The authority will take steps to reunite the child and his family.
an important/major/big step
The move is seen as a major step forward for UK firms.
the first step
The first step in resolving conflict is to understand what the other person wants.
the next step
He met in Washington with his campaign advisers to plan his next step.
a small step
This is a small step in the right direction.
a positive step (=an action that will have a good effect)
This is a positive step which gives cause for some optimism.
an unusual/unprecedented step (=something that is not usually done/has never been done before)
Police last night took the unusual step of releasing photographs of him.
a drastic step
The government is wary of taking any drastic steps that would scare off foreign investment.
a bold step
We welcome the bold step taken by President Bush.
a tentative step (=a small action, which is not done in a very determined way)
The Institute has taken a tentative step towards opening up its meetings to the public.
a logical step
She felt she had an aptitude for medicine. Her next logical step would be to begin studying when the summer was over.
immediate steps
We believe immediate steps could be taken to generate jobs.
reasonable steps
They must take reasonable steps to ensure that this information is available to those who might benefit.
necessary steps
We must be sure that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent the problem from getting a foothold here.
a step forward (=an action that makes things better)
The declaration which we have just signed is a big step forward for both of our nations.
a step backwards/a backward step (=an action that makes things worse)
A rationing system would be a major step backwards.
a step in the right direction (=an action that helps to improve things)
Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

action noun [countable] something that someone does:
He is responsible for his own actions.
They refused to give a reason for their actions.
act noun [countable] a particular type of action:
violent acts
⇒ act of violence/kindness/defiance etc:
I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
activities noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim:
leisure activities
political activities
Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
behaviour British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave:
Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?
The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
move noun [countable] something that you do in order to achieve something:
Her decision to sell the shares had been a smart move.
It’s a bold move to start a business in the current economic climate.
He needed time to figure out his next move.
step noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed:
The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.
We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.
This is an important step towards peace.
measure noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem:
There are increased security measures at airports.
The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
gesture noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something:
Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?
⇒ gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance:
The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
deed noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad:
evil deeds
heroic deeds
This is my good deed for the day.
exploits noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions:
daring exploits
His exploits were legendary.
feat noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it:
Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.
The bridge is a great feat of engineering.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

move to go to a different place, or change the position of your body:
Sarah moved away from the window.
Every time I move I get a pain in my left shoulder.
sway to move slowly from one side to the other:
The branches swayed in the wind.
Donny swayed drunkenly as he walked back to his car.
rock to move repeatedly from one side to another, with small gentle movements:
He rocked backward and forward in his chair.
The boat rocked from side to side with the waves.
wobble to move unsteadily from side to side:
The bike wobbled a bit, but she soon got it under control.
fidget to keep moving or playing with your fingers, hands, feet etc, because you are bored or nervous:
Diana fidgeted nervously with her pencil.
squirm to make very small movements from side to side with your body, especially because you feel uncomfortable:
By the end of the hour, most of the children were squirming in their seats.
wriggle to make small movements from side to side, especially in order to get into or out of something:
The dog wriggled under the fence and escaped into the street.
She managed to wriggle into the dress, but it was much too tight.
twitch if part of your body twitches, it makes small movements that you cannot control:
A muscle on Yang’s face twitched.
stir written to make a movement – used especially when describing a situation in which no one moves, or someone wakes up:
In the village a dog barked but no one stirred
The sleeping child stirred and opened her eyes.
budge to move – used when you are trying hard to make something move, often without success:
The piano wouldn’t budge.
relocate to move to a different place – used about companies, organizations, and people who work for them:
NATO’s main headquarters relocated to Brussels.
Klein is relocating to London to head up the investment banking team.
still not moving – use this especially about people who are not moving, or about places where there is no wind:
There was no wind and the trees were completely still.
Keep still while I tie your shoes.
stationary not moving – use this about cars, trains, or objects:
The truck swerved and hit a stationary vehicle.
immobile not moving or not able to move, especially because of fear or tiredness:
As the disease progressed, she became increasingly immobile.
motionless completely still – used especially in literature:
Kemp sat motionless as the verdict was read.
calm not moving because there is no wind – use this about air and water:
The lake was calm.
be at a standstill if traffic is at a standstill it is not moving:
Traffic was at a standstill on the motorway.
make a move
We made the move mainly for financial reasons.
make no move
The government made no move to hold the promised elections.
welcome the move
Environmentalists welcomed the move to limit the length of fishing nets.
oppose a move
Union members have opposed the move.
support a move
The move was supported by the government.
a move is aimed at doing something/is designed to do something
The move is aimed at strengthening its business in the region.
an important move
I cannot decide on such an important move on my own.
a bold/daring move (=taking a lot of courage)
The writers made a bold move by kiling off the main character.
a good/smart/wise move (=sensible)
I’m not sure it was a good move giving him the job.
the right move
He hoped he had made the right move in telling his father.
an unprecedented move (=never having happened before)
Barcelona began the unprecedented move of shipping in drinking water.
sb’s next move (=the next thing someone does)
What should happen next? What’s our next move?
a bad move
It was a bad move letting him come here in the first place.
a false/wrong move (=made by mistake)
One wrong move and the business might never recover.
the first move
She waited for Michael to make the first move.
a career move (=a decision that will improve the type of job you can do)
It looked like a good career move, with the possibility of promotion later.
there are moves afoot to do something British English (=there are plans, especially secret ones, to do something)
There are moves afoot to change things.
a move in the right direction
The decision seemed to be a move in the right direction.
watch/follow sb’s every move
His eyes followed Cissy’s every move.
a sudden move
She made a sudden move towards me from the doorway.
action noun [countable] something that someone does:
He is responsible for his own actions.
They refused to give a reason for their actions.
act noun [countable] a particular type of action:
violent acts
⇒ act of violence/kindness/defiance etc:
I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
activities noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim:
leisure activities
political activities
Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
behaviour British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave:
Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?
The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
step noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed:
The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.
We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.
This is an important step towards peace.
measure noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem:
There are increased security measures at airports.
The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
gesture noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something:
Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?
⇒ gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance:
The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
deed noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad:
evil deeds
heroic deeds
This is my good deed for the day.
exploits noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions:
daring exploits
His exploits were legendary.
feat noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it:
Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.
The bridge is a great feat of engineering.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

stage one of several parts of a long process, which happen one after another:
At this stage of the election campaign, it is impossible to predict who will win.
She is still in the early stages of pregnancy.
Piaget famously divided childhood into four separate stages.
the opening stages of the race
step one of the parts of a process that you have to do or deal with in order to go on to the next one:
The first step is to make a list of what you need.
What’s the next step?
You have to do this one step at a time.
phase one of the clearly separate stages of a process or activity, during which a type of activity takes place that is different from those in other phases:
the initial phase of the campaign
They were now entering the final phase of their journey.
round one of the parts that an event or activity is divided into, especially talks or a sports competition:
the first round of the negotiations
the final round of the competition
The next round of the trade talks will be held in Geneva.
point a specific time or moment during the course of something:
What do you really want at this point in your life?
By this point they were startng to feel more confident.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

step
step
See: in step , out of step , take steps

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲