step by step
phrase
by small degrees, increments, or stages; gradually.
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step-by-step systems.
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step by step
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step-by-step
step-by-stepadjectivegiving or involving one task or action at a time toward a goal.
step by step
1 Americanphrase
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by small degrees, increments, or stages; gradually.
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by completing one task or action at a time toward the accomplishment of a goal.
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by taking one step after another with the feet, or at a slow, deliberate walking pace.
step-by-step
2
American
adjective
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giving or involving one task or action at a time toward a goal.
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happening or done by small degrees, increments, or stages; gradual.
step by step
Idioms
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.
See Examples For:
Sit down with him and outline, step by step, how you work and what changes you’ve had to make to his work.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026
“You’re going to see step by step, and piece by piece, they’re going to bring significant portions of their business home,” Lutnick said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
"We have to go step by step again, but we can't wait until we're physically top to start getting results," the Belgian said.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
In this framework, the brain does not rely only on a step by step flow of information.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 13, 2026
An enemy intent on the Eyrie would have to fight his way from Stone step by step, while rocks and arrows rained down from Snow above.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
The argument had to be reduced to a mind-numbing step-by-step formal argument, and so did all the mathematics that it was based on.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
They may initially allow small withdrawals to make the investment appear legitimate and provide step-by-step guidance on making larger deposits.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
He said following Saturday's 0-0 draw at Hull it was vital to take the rebuild step-by-step and Tuesday's win was another positive move.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
AI agents -- systems that act autonomously to complete tasks rather than just responding to step-by-step prompts in a chatbot -- are hailed across the industry as the next chapter in AI.
From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026
I also recorded the best craft ideas step-by-step in pencil so I could add illustrations and my own personal touches.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
