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

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

There is a luminosity to the large, airy workroom, where painted lavender floors and a large Stark leopard-and-rose area rug, purchased at auction, rest underfoot. —Elizabeth Kiefer, Architectural Digest, 23 Feb. 2026

Their only gold that doesn’t involve skis underfoot is Sander Eitrem’s win in the men’s 5,000-meter speedskating competition. —Zack Pierce, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026

There are woven mats underfoot and decorative makuti palm leaf ceilings—works of art. —Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 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