underfoot

adverb

un·​der·​foot ˌən-dər-ˈfu̇t How to pronounce underfoot (audio)
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

Example Sentences

The ground was slippery underfoot. We walked with dried leaves crunching underfoot.
Recent Examples on the Web The Warner also has a contoured footbed to provide all-day arch support, while the non-slip outsole provides traction underfoot. Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2023 Outdoor rugs soften a concrete or stone patio, adding a welcoming layer of soft texture underfoot. Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2023 Shrapnel and bullet casings crunched underfoot. The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2022 There’s dirt underfoot. Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Feb. 2023 But the production’s moral landscape still shifts underfoot. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2023 With Pipeline, the air will be underfoot. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2023 The damp soil feels spongy underfoot. Tree Meinch, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2023 How to Paint Your Home's Exterior Like a Pro Add Curb Appeal with a Rug Create a relaxing outdoor room by adding a rug underfoot. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underfoot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underfoot was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near underfoot

Cite this Entry

“Underfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underfoot. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

underfoot

adverb
un·​der·​foot -ˈfu̇t How to pronounce underfoot (audio)
1
: under the feet
flowers trampled underfoot
2
: close about one's feet : in the way
a puppy always underfoot

More from Merriam-Webster on underfoot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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