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• step by step
  step by step

  phrase

  by small degrees, increments, or stages; gradually.
• step-by-step
  step-by-step

  adjective

  giving or involving one task or action at a time toward a goal.

step by step

¹ American  

phrase

1. by small degrees, increments, or stages; gradually.

2. by completing one task or action at a time toward the accomplishment of a goal.

3. by taking one step after another with the feet, or at a slow, deliberate walking pace.

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step-by-step ² American  

adjective

1. giving or involving one task or action at a time toward a goal.

2. happening or done by small degrees, increments, or stages; gradual.

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step by step Idioms  

1. By degrees, as in You'll have to go through this recipe step by step. This idiom transfers putting one foot in front of the other to other kinds of progress. [c. 1700]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

step by step step-by-step

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

The U.A.E. is expected to move step by step, beginning with new restrictions on cargo and potentially expanding to a broader crackdown on Iranian-linked entities if the Revolutionary Guard continues its strikes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 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

Evolution does not aim for perfection; it works with what is available, modifying structures step by step.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026

But I am afraid there is no possible doubt: he had made his slow, sneaking way, step by step, mile by mile, south, down at last to the Land of Mordor.’

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

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 the deal takes "a step-by-step approach" meaning: "If there is verified decommissioning of weapons, that they are taken away from the factions and stored and ultimately rendered unusable, Israel then withdraws from Gaza."

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 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 like to enjoy my noods in soup form, but you can also follow this step-by-step process for stir-fried noodles.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

There is, alas, no step-by-step method to guide us, but this does not mean that the process is entirely mysterious.

From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson

Related Words

• piecemeal