footwork

noun

foot·​work ˈfu̇t-ˌwərk 

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

Participants move from station to station to perform different exercises, each with a distinct focus, ranging from power, speed, footwork, agility and control. —Mary Eber, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

Hafley praised Johnson, labeling the draft’s 27th pick, a player the Dolphins traded up for, as his favorite cornerback in the draft because of his combination of size, speed, athleticism and footwork. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026

Mike Sutter, who was Willis’ offensive line coach at Durango, was struck by his footwork. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026

But while Allar’s tape shows flashes of terrific arm talent, the QB’s inconsistent footwork, accuracy and comfort in the pocket as a passer remain major concerns. —Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for footwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

footwork

noun

foot·​work -ˌwərk 

: the movement of the feet (as in boxing)