underfoot

adverb

un·​der·​foot ˌən-dər-ˈfu̇t 

1

: under the foot especially against the ground

trampled the flowers underfoot

2

: below, at, or before one's feet

warm sand underfoot

3

: in the way

children always getting underfoot

Examples of underfoot in a Sentence

The ground was slippery underfoot.

We walked with dried leaves crunching underfoot.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wander through its low-ceilinged parlors and hearth kitchen, where wide-plank floors creak underfoot and period furnishings evoke daily life in the 17th century. —New York Times, 31 July 2025

In Kingston after the storm, the yard cools, the grass slippery underfoot, leaves dripping—the air heavy with fatigue. —Kwame Dawes, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

The neutral accent rug is hand-tufted and feels soft to the touch underfoot. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 27 July 2025

With 24 millimeters of cushioning underfoot, the Escalante 4 is far from a true barefoot shoe. —Lauren Wingenroth, SELF, 25 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underfoot

• lilliput
• occiput
• tenderfoot
• afoot
• barefoot
• bigfoot
• blackfoot
• caput
• clubfoot
• cocksfoot
• crowfoot
• forefoot

Kids Definition

underfoot

adverb

un·​der·​foot -ˈfu̇t 

1

: under the feet

flowers trampled underfoot

2

: close about one's feet : in the way

a puppy always underfoot