surefooted

[ shoor-foot-id, shur- ]

/ ˈʃʊərˈfʊt ɪd, ˈʃɜr- /

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adjective

not likely to stumble, slip, or fall.

proceeding surely; unerring: his surefooted pursuit of success.

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Origin of surefooted

First recorded in 1625–35; sure + foot + -ed³

OTHER WORDS FROM surefooted

sure·foot·ed·ly, adverbsure·foot·ed·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use surefooted in a sentence

“They sure took the Sony thing seriously,” Attkisson said dryly.
Ex-CBS Reporter Sharyl Attkisson’s Battle Royale With the Feds|Lloyd Grove|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And it must make sure that the platform of debate where we can freely exchange ideas is safe and sound.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Our duty is to make sure that they realize that the Prophet is not avenged.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I like the idea of Jon Hamm… There have been discussions—though I'm not sure how serious they've been.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

“He has to really stay on the down low, he has to make sure that he blends in,” Ney told the Beast.
Abramoff’s Advice for Virginia’s New Jailhouse Guv|Tim Mak, Jackie Kucinich|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When a man converses with himself, he is sure that he does not converse with an enemy.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
I am therefore quite sure I shall be content to await his father's consent, should it not come these many years.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
And sure enough when Sunday came, and the pencil was restored to him, he promptly showed nurse his picture.
Children's Ways|James Sully
It was no wonder that he felt quite at home in the duck-pond, which was made for web-footed folk.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
He had seen the act committed, he felt sure but had made no effort whatever to stop the thief.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux

British Dictionary definitions for surefooted

sure-footed

adjective

unlikely to fall, slip, or stumble

not likely to err or fail, as in judgment

Derived forms of sure-footed

sure-footedly, adverbsure-footedness, noun

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