afoot
Americanadverb
-
on foot; walking.
I came afoot.
-
astir; in progress.
There is mischief afoot.
adjective
-
in circulation or operation; astir
mischief was afoot
-
on or by foot
Etymology
Origin of afoot
First recorded in 1175–1225, afoot is from Middle English a fote, on fote. See a- 1, foot
Explanation
Something that's afoot is already happening, underway, or being prepared. You might reassure your fellow French club members that plans are afoot for a fund raiser to support your upcoming trip to Québec. People frequently say that plans are afoot when they've started preparing for a party, an election campaign, a job hunt, or anything else that requires some planning. Plans might be afoot for your dad's surprise party, for example, or your sister's wedding. Another, less common way to use afoot is to mean "on foot," or "walking." You could tell your teacher that you're late to school because you missed the bus and had to travel afoot.
Vocabulary lists containing afoot
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But secretive military moves are also afoot, with plans for upgraded or new runways for both military and civilian use.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
This is not sufficient, in the view of the Justice Department, to intimate that there’s racism afoot.
From Slate • May 4, 2026
More plans are afoot to show the objects.
From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026
See: Big changes are afoot in the U.S. stock market.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026
He did not think they would last long afoot.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
