footwork

noun

foot·​work ˈfu̇t-ˌwərk How to pronounce footwork (audio)
1
: the activity of moving from place to place
the investigation entailed a lot of footwork
2
: the management of the feet (as in boxing)
also : the work done with them
3
: active and adroit maneuvering to achieve an end
fancy political footwork

Examples of footwork in a Sentence

The investigation required a lot of footwork. He used quick footwork to dodge his opponent. The tango involves some fancy footwork. He knows that getting enough votes for the proposal is going to require some fancy political footwork.
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.
Brunson beats defenders with skill and not size, relying on footwork, fakes and spins that create angles to get his shot off against taller defenders. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 Bradley played the final seven minutes of Monday’s loss to the Wolves and finished with 10 points on a perfect five-of-five shooting, impressively showcasing his footwork and patience around the rim. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026 After a poor start to his career in Tennessee, Willis became more fundamentally sound with his footwork in Green Bay. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 Harvey did that by constantly running, working on his pass-rushing repertoire and his footwork using cone drills. — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for footwork

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of footwork was in 1859

Rhymes for footwork

See All Rhymes for footwork

Browse Nearby Words

footwell
footwork
footy
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Cite this Entry

“Footwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footwork. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

footwork

noun
foot·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce footwork (audio)
: the movement of the feet (as in boxing)
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