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

Simmons, the lone player in the seven-member draft class projected to start, has impressed with his footwork and movement. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2025

Despite carrying a few extra pounds, Williams's footwork was efficient. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Such themes are well suited to the emotionally explosive range of flamenco performance, with its keening voices and driving footwork. —Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 18 July 2025

But where Sanchez has occasionally struggled with timing and positioning, John’s footwork in particular has been noticeably cleaner, leading to more consistent movements over the past two seasons. —Mark Critchley, New York Times, 12 July 2025

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)