footsteps
word · lemma: footstep
/ˈfʊtˌstɛps/
FUUT-steps
/fˈʊtstɛps/
FUUT-steps
Definition
The sounds or marks made by someone's feet when they walk. It can refer to the noise of walking or the impressions left on the ground.
Usage & Nuances
Often used in the plural. Common with verbs like 'hear' and 'follow': 'hear footsteps', 'follow in someone's footsteps'. In the idiom 'follow in someone's footsteps', it means doing the same kind of work or life path as another person, not literally walking behind them.
Spanish: pasos - huellas de pasosPortuguese (BR): passos - som de passosPortuguese (PT): passos - som de passosChinese (Simplified): 脚步声 - 足迹Chinese (Traditional): 腳步聲 - 足跡Hindi: कदमों की आहट - पैरों के निशानArabic: خطوات - وقع الأقدامBengali: পদক্ষেপ - পায়ের ছাপRussian: шаги - следы (от ног)Japanese: 足音 - 足跡Vietnamese: tiếng bước chân - dấu chânKorean: 발자국 - 발소리Turkish: ayak sesleri - ayak izleriUrdu: قدموں کی آہٹ - قدموں کے نشانIndonesian: jejak kaki - suara langkah
Example Sentences
She wants to follow in her mother's footsteps.
basic
I heard footsteps outside my door.
basic
There were footsteps in the snow.
basic
I froze when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
natural
You can tell he's following in his father's footsteps.
natural
At midnight, even small footsteps sound loud.
natural