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Synonyms

two-step

American  
[too-step] / ˈtuˌstɛp /

noun

  1. a ballroom dance in duple meter, marked by sliding steps.

  2. a piece of music for, or in the rhythm of, this dance.

verb (used without object)

two-stepped, two-stepping

  1. to dance the two-step.

two-step British  

noun

  1. an old-time dance in duple time

  2. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of such a dance

"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

Etymology

Origin of two-step

First recorded in 1890–95

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.

By adding strontium and titanium and using a two-step growth process, they created small electronic gates, known as 'p-n junctions', at the interfaces between layers.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

The so-called backdoor Roth, a simple two-step process, means anyone can contribute up to $8,000 to an account with after-tax dollars and shelter all their future gains from federal taxes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Have Paul Skenes and Pete Crow-Armstrong take some two-step lessons before the tournament.

From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026

A subscription to X is held by her department, which it said provides additional benefits including "two-step authentication" for security purposes, and account analytics.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

The twitch turned into a wrench when Clarence raised his voice to declare the next one was two-step and Derrick handed his drum to Tree.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Definitions 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.