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

Avalanche safety protocol calls for skiers to spread themselves out when crossing terrain where an avalanche might slide, whether underfoot or down from above. —Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026

Designers dislike the abundance of grout lines and the bumpy feel underfoot. —Heather Bien, The Spruce, 8 Mar. 2026

Archways are positioned to act as doorways, while varying the materials underfoot—gravel, flagstone, grass—delineates each space. —Teresa Woodard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2026

In a similar vein, the material can also be used for stair treads; for those, Kath recommends the satin finish for a bit more grip underfoot. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026

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