barefoot

American  

[bair-foot] / ˈbɛərˌfʊt /

adjective

1. Also barefooted. with the feet bare.

   a barefoot boy;

   to walk barefoot.

2. Carpentry. (of a post or stud) secured to a sill or the like without mortising.

---

barefoot British  

/ ˈbɛəˌfʊt /

adjective

1. with the feet uncovered

---

Etymology

Origin of barefoot

before 1000; Middle English barfot, Old English bærfōt. See bare ¹, foot

Explanation

When you're barefoot, you're not wearing any shoes or socks. It might feel good to walk barefoot on a sandy beach on a warm day, but just don't try entering a restaurant barefoot. Some kids might spend the whole summer barefoot, walking down sidewalks with their sneakers in their hands, and if you're a lifeguard or a professional gymnast, you get to be barefoot at work. The Old English root of barefoot is bærfot, combining bær, "naked" or "uncovered," with fot, "foot."

Example Sentences

Gallo owns more than 100 brands — including the popular Barefoot and Apothic labels — and had more than 7,000 employees worldwide, according to a 2023 company statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Ina Garten bought the Hamptons specialty food store that became the Barefoot Contessa a year later.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

His first major stage success was as pompous lawyer Paul Bratter in Neil Simon's romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2025

The show itself is based in her Lowry Hill kitchen, which helps achieve that same level of hominess that's seen in "Barefoot Contessa."

From Salon • Oct. 2, 2023

Barefoot and silent as a cat, Penelope padded downstairs.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood