step

One movement of your foot when walking or running, or the distance covered by that movement.

• Take one step forward.
• I heard her steps in the hall.
• The gate was only a few steps away.

Similar words: footstep, pace

Common phrases: take a step, step forward, one step away, a small step

One action or stage in a series that helps you achieve something.

• Follow each step carefully.
• The next step is to contact the owner.
• They have taken steps to improve safety.

How to use it: a step towards something (The agreement is a step towards peace.); take steps to do something (We took steps to reduce waste.)

Similar words: stage, action, measure

Common phrases: first step, next step, step towards something, take steps

One part of a series of actions needed to do something.

• The first step is to wash the rice.
• We completed every step of the application process.
• Can you explain the next step?

How to use it: a step in something (Checking the facts is an important step in our research.)

Similar words: stage, phase

Common phrases: first step, next step, step by step

A flat surface you put your foot on when going up or down stairs.

• Sit on the bottom step.
• She climbed the steps to the front door.
• Be careful; these steps are wet.

Similar words: stair, tread

Common phrases: front step, top step, climb a step, stone step

A very short distance between two places.

• The church is only a step away.
• It was a short step from the inn to the river.
• Her cottage stood just a step from the village.

How to use it: a step from something (The house is a step from the beach.)

Similar words: short distance

Common phrases: a short step, a step away

To move by lifting one foot and putting it down in another place.

• Please step back.
• She stepped over a puddle.
• He stepped into the kitchen and closed the door.

How to use it: step on something (Be careful not to step on the glass.); step over something (She stepped over the sleeping dog.); step into something (He stepped into the lift.)

Similar words: walk, tread

Common phrases: step back, step outside, step on something, step into something

To put on clothes by placing your feet inside them.

• She stepped into her jeans.
• He stepped into his trousers and pulled them up.
• I stepped into the skirt before fastening it.

How to use it: step into something (She stepped into her shorts.)

Similar words: put on

Common phrases: step into trousers, step into jeans, step into something

To leave a place.

• You had better step before trouble starts.
• We stepped when the police arrived.
• It is time to step; this party is getting ugly.

Similar words: leave, go

Opposites: stay

Common phrases: better step, time to step