one-step

noun

ˈwən-ˌstep 

1

: a ballroom dance in ²/₄ time marked by quick walking steps backward and forward

2

: music used for the one-step

one-step intransitive verb

Examples of one-step in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These range from simple one-step actions to longer sequences involving up to 26 steps. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026

If Young and Murray do aspire to be head coaches, there may have to be the one-step-back-to-take-two-steps-forward approach to it. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026

In the Afrikaans world of my childhood, dancing often meant the stolid vastrap (tight-step), the terrible langarm (long-arm, a two-step that desperately wants to be a one-step), or, worst of all, volkspele (national or popular games), compulsory in Afrikaans-medium state-run schools. —Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026

Time for some one-step redecorating. —Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for one-step

• multistep
• overstep
• bicep
• doorstep
• footstep
• instep
• lockstep
• misstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep