step-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈstep-ˌin 

: an article of clothing put on by being stepped into: such as

a

: a shoe resembling but usually having a higher vamp than a pump and having concealed elastic to adjust the fit

b

: short panties for women

—usually used in plural

step-in adjective

step in

2 of 2

verb

stepped in; stepping in; steps in

intransitive verb

1

a

: to intervene in an affair or dispute

b

: to act as a replacement

2

: to make a brief informal visit

Synonyms

Verb

• call
• come by
• come over
• drop by
• drop in
• pop (in)
• run (over)
• run in
• stop (by or in)
• visit

Examples of step-in in a Sentence

Verb

I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class.

couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The shoes come in four color options with pull tabs for simple step-in wear. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025

Ribbed insoles provide a tantalizing sole massage with a cushioned, comfortable step-in feel. —Cory Smith, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024

Verb

Axiom Space will launch two orbiting data center nodes into low Earth orbit by the end of this year, as the first step in the development of off-planet computing infrastructure. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2025

And next week’s NFL Draft — whether Bryson is selected as a draft pick or signed as an undrafted free agent — will be the next step in his own football legacy. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1921, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for step-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin
• pinyin

Kids Definition

step-in

noun

-ˌin

: an article of clothing (as a dress or shoes) that can be put on by being stepped into