step
/stɛp/
step is pronounced step (/stɛp/). Step is a small, deliberate movement of the foot used for locomotion or a single action within a sequence. It functions as both a noun (a stage in a process or a rung on a staircase) and a verb (to move by lifting the foot to advance). The sound and precision of the step can convey rhythm, balance, and intention in speech and movement alike.
Step is a small, deliberate movement of the foot used for locomotion or a single action within a sequence. It functions as both a noun (a stage in a process or a rung on a staircase) and a verb (to move by lifting the foot to advance). The sound and precision of the step can convey rhythm, balance, and intention in speech and movement alike.
"She took a cautious step onto the icy sidewalk."
"Each step in the dance routine builds toward the final pose."
"The project moved a step closer to completion after the review."
Pronounce it as /stɛp/, with initial consonant cluster /st/, short open-mid front vowel /ɛ/, and a voiceless labial plosive /p/. The tip of the tongue rises to the alveolar ridge for /t/ in the cluster, then shifts to release into /ɛ/ before the final /p/. In fluent speech you’ll hear a crisp /st/ onset and a quick, clean end-stop. Practice with: step, set, stem to feel the contrast, then say 'step by step' at a steady tempo.
Common errors include pronouncing the vowel as /eɪ/ (step → stêp) or lengthening the vowel to /iː/ (step → stee-p). Another pitfall is overly releasing the /t/ into /d/ (stɜp) or inserting a schwa after /s/ (sə-step). Correct it by locking the short /ɛ/ sound, keeping the /t/ nearly unaspirated in the cluster, and finishing with an immediate /p/ release. Focus on the sequence /s/ + /t/ + /ε/ + /p/ without vowel distortion.
Across US, UK, and AU, the core /st/ + /ɛ/ + /p/ stays stable. In rhotic US, there’s no postvocalic r here, but the preceding /ɛ/ remains clear. In many UK varieties, the /ɛ/ in step is maintained, but some speakers may fuse /ɛ/ closer to /e/ depending on dialect. Australian English tends to have a centralized vowel quality, but for step you’ll still produce a short lax /ɛ/ with a fast, clipped final /p/. The main difference is vowel quality and surrounding vowel length in connected speech, not the core consonants.
The difficulty lies in the tight consonant cluster /st/ and the brief, clipped /ɛ/ before a final voiceless /p/. Many learners reduce the /t/ or merge /st/ with neighboring sounds, producing st-eep-like or stəp variants. Achieve precision by treating /s/ and /t/ as distinct bites, keeping the tongue on the alveolar ridge for /t/, and ending with a sharp, unvoiced /p/. Practicing with minimal pairs helps: step vs. steep, step vs. set.
In careful pronunciation, you fully release /t/ into the /ɛ/ vowel with a distinct stop. In very fast or casual speech, some speakers produce a lighter, almost glottalized release, particularly when connecting to a following consonant (e.g., 'step-by-step'), where you may feel a slight suppression of the /t/ sound. To maintain clarity, practice a clean release and then blend into rhythm when linking to the next word.
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US: rhoticity isn’t relevant for step; focus on crisp /st/ onset and a shorter, higher tongue position for /ɛ/. UK: maintain a slightly tenser /ɛ/ with a shorter vowel duration; avoid lengthening before /p/. AU: vowel quality skews toward a central /ɐ/ influence in faster speech; keep /ɛ/ clear but with lightly centralized vowel coloring. IPA references: US /stɛp/, UK /stɛp/, AU /stɛp/. Target a compact mouth opening, with the tongue crossing to the alveolar ridge for /t/ and then closing fast into /p/.
Step derives from Old English steppan or stæppan, linked to Dutch stap and German Schritt, all tied to the sense of lifting and placing the foot. The root imagery centers on striking the ground and moving forward, with early uses in the sense of a measured stride. The word evolved to cover motions of ascent (a step on a staircase), increments in processes (taking a step in a plan), and figurative uses (step of a meter in poetry). Over time, step retained its core physical sense while expanding into abstract domains like steps in a procedure, steps in a dance, and steps in a ladder of progress. By Middle English, step appears in compounding with other nouns (step-by-step, stepping-stone), cementing its role as a versatile unit of movement and progression. First known written uses appear in household and building contexts, often describing stair treads or incremental actions; later, step broadened to abstract and technical domains, including music (stepwise motion in melodies) and project management (milestones as steps). The word’s durability across languages underscores a universal, concrete action: the precise placement and lift of a foot or a moment of progress.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "step" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "step" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "step"
-ept sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
