surefooted

[shoo r-foo t-id, shur-]

adjective

not likely to stumble, slip, or fall.

proceeding surely; unerring: his surefooted pursuit of success.

Origin of surefooted

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

Related formssure·foot·ed·ly, adverbsure·foot·ed·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sure-footed

Contemporary Examples of sure-footed

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (a more realistic possibility if he maintains his sure-footed leadership in Albany)?
Obama for Prez in 2016!
Michael Medved
June 24, 2011
In dealing with this issue, Romney has not exactly shown himself to be a sure-footed candidate.
Why Obama's Still Untouchable in 2012
Jack W. Germond
June 9, 2011
Now he seems to be reversing again—on this issue, he has not at all been sure-footed.
Thanks for Playing Nice
Rep. Peter King
April 28, 2009

Historical Examples of sure-footed

I was sure-footed and unafraid, so at once I determined to essay the passage.
Billy Topsail & Company
Norman Duncan
She was as sure-footed and agile as a mountain goat, and it was a pleasure to watch her.
Frank Merriwell's Bravery
Burt L. Standish
He was one of the small Spanish-American breed, almost as sure-footed as a chamois.
The Forest Exiles
Mayne Reid
Iceland ponies are famous for their hardiness and are sure-footed.
Wealth of the World's Waste Places and Oceania
Jewett Castello Gilson
Fay was sure-footed, she skimmed over the frozen snow as lightly as a bird.
Wee Wifie
Rosa Nouchette Carey

British Dictionary definitions for sure-footed

sure-footed

adjective

unlikely to fall, slip, or stumble

not likely to err or fail, as in judgment

Derived Formssure-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