underfoot

adverb

un·​der·​foot ˌən-dər-ˈfu̇t How to pronounce underfoot (audio)
1
: under the foot especially against the ground
trampled the flowers underfoot
2
: below, at, or before one's feet
warm sand underfoot
3
: in the way
children always getting underfoot

Examples of underfoot in a Sentence

The ground was slippery underfoot. We walked with dried leaves crunching underfoot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Day to day, that means monitoring rainfall patterns, obsessing over grass quality underfoot and practicing rotational grazing religiously. Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026 Anthrax underfoot Most cases of human anthrax result from working with animals – an occupational hazard for tanners, wool sorters and butchers. Hannah Kinzer, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026 In the videos, glass and masonry crackle underfoot, having fallen from the walls and intricate mosaics above. Emily Feng, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026 Wandering around the park, dry leaves crunching underfoot, feels like crashing a dress rehearsal, or an extremely chill treeworker renegade. Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underfoot

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underfoot was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underfoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underfoot. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

underfoot

adverb
un·​der·​foot -ˈfu̇t How to pronounce underfoot (audio)
1
: under the feet
flowers trampled underfoot
2
: close about one's feet : in the way
a puppy always underfoot

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