footwork

[ foot-wurk ]

/ ˈfʊtˌwɜrk /

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noun

the use of the feet, as in tennis, boxing, or dancing.

travel by foot from one place to another, as in gathering facts or fulfilling an assignment; legwork: The project entailed a great deal of footwork.

the act or process of maneuvering, especially in a skillful manner: It took a bit of fancy footwork to avoid the issue.

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Origin of footwork

First recorded in 1560–70; foot + work

Words nearby footwork

footwall, foot warmer, footway, footwear, footwell, footwork, footworn, footy, foo yong, foozle, fop

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use footwork in a sentence

Whether you’re a swimmer working on your stroke count or soccer player perfecting your footwork, getting out of the pool and off the field is a good way to both exercises and strengthen your mental health.
How to work out for your mental health|empire|August 15, 2021|Popular-Science
After Irving left Game 4 midway through the second quarter, Griffin seemed to give the Nets a punch with a few buckets that showed nifty footwork and his incredible athleticism.
Blake Griffin Was A Luxury Pickup. Now The Nets Need Him.|Louis Zatzman|June 15, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
There are skills that are foundational to great tennis — outstanding hand-eye coordination, crisp footwork and peak physical conditioning among them.
Ashleigh Barty walked away from tennis to find her way forward. Will other pros follow?|Liz Clarke|May 30, 2021|Washington Post
Forward Adrién Pérez, a winter signing making his second start, assisted on Flores’s goal in the seventh minute and created several opportunities with unpredictable runs and clever footwork.
D.C. United starts fast, ends its skid with a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire|Steven Goff|May 14, 2021|Washington Post

He has the footwork and balance to maneuver in tight spaces, with crafty fakes to shift his balance and defenders at the same time.
Jimmy Butler Has The Heat Back In The Hunt|Louis Zatzman|March 16, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
He used his strength to overwhelm defenders but he also had nifty footwork, soft hands, and was a beautiful passer.
Shaq, Year One|Charles P. Pierce|May 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Smedinghoff sought to make herself more credible by brushing up on her own footwork after-hours.
Anne Smedinghoff, the Hero Diplomat We Lost in Afghanistan|Michael Daly|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Shuffling around the ring he has the footwork of a tyrannosaurus.
Vitali Klitschko Contemplates Bowing Out of the Ring and Entering Ukrainian Politics|Gordon Marino|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Tragic footwork by the likes of George W. Bush, Dmitry Medvedev, and Boris Yeltsin turned the politicians into laughing stocks.
Psy Brings ‘Gangnam Style’ to the United Nations & Ban Ki-moon|Kevin Fallon|October 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The ex-senator survived the CNN debate with some fancy footwork on contraception.
Rick Santorum Defuses Time Bomb of Social Issues in CNN Debate|Howard Kurtz|February 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
What with the burro's galloping and the man's rapid footwork, they raised quite a cloud of dust.
The Motor Rangers Through the Sierras|Marvin West
A net was put up on the field, and for an hour or so they beat about, regardless of science and footwork.
The Loom of Youth|Alec Waugh
The referee twice cautioned Pucking Percy for holding but the pet was tricky and his footwork a treat to watch.
Ulysses|James Joyce
Tom's agile footwork kept him out of reach of the hard, hammer-like fists of the stranger.
The Young Engineers in Arizona|H. Irving Hancock
This last escaped Reade as he blocked the blow, and again displayed a neat little bit of footwork.
The Young Engineers in Arizona|H. Irving Hancock

British Dictionary definitions for footwork

footwork

/ (ˈfʊtˌwɜːk) /

noun

skilful use of the feet, as in sports, dancing, etc

informal clever manoeuvringdeft political footwork

informal preliminary groundworkmany estate agents now do the footwork – you only need to visit

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

footwork

Origin of footwork

Words nearby footwork

Words related to footwork

How to use footwork in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for footwork