underfoot

UK: ˌʌndəˈfʊt | US: ˌʌndərˈfʊt

Definition

  1. adv. directly beneath the feet; on the ground

  2. adj. situated or occurring under the feet

Structure
under <below>foot <body part for walking>
Etymology

The word "underfoot" combines "under" (from Old English under, meaning "beneath") and "foot" (from Old English fōt, referring to the body part used for walking). It literally means "beneath the feet," reflecting its use to describe something physically below or trampled upon. Over time, it gained figurative uses, such as describing obstacles or nuisances "underfoot."

Examples

  1. The leaves crunched underfoot as we walked through the forest.

  2. Be careful not to trip on the toys scattered underfoot.

  3. The snow was soft and silent underfoot.

  4. The cat darted underfoot, almost causing me to stumble.

  5. Moss grew thick underfoot in the damp woodland.