footwork

noun

foot·​work ˈfu̇t-ˌwərk 

1

: the activity of moving from place to place

the investigation entailed a lot of footwork

2

: the management of the feet (as in boxing)

also : the work done with them

3

: active and adroit maneuvering to achieve an end

fancy political footwork

Examples of footwork in a Sentence

The investigation required a lot of footwork.

He used quick footwork to dodge his opponent.

The tango involves some fancy footwork.

He knows that getting enough votes for the proposal is going to require some fancy political footwork.

Recent Examples on the Web

And while Campbell struggled mightily during the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss, some attributed his issues to his footwork. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026

Thanks to his footwork and hips, McNeil-Warren is a fluid mover with functional range and improved instincts versus the pass. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026

While Ben Johnson will oversee all the moving parts of the offense, the 30-year-old Barrett will be the one making sure Williams’ footwork and timing are on point. —Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026

Concepts often discussed abstractly, footwork, balance, counters, discipline, became visible in real time. —D’joumbarey A. Moreau, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for footwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

footwork

noun

foot·​work -ˌwərk 

: the movement of the feet (as in boxing)