barefoot

adverb or adjective

bare·​foot ˈber-ˌfu̇t How to pronounce barefoot (audio)
variants or barefooted
ˈber-ˈfu̇-təd How to pronounce barefoot (audio)
: with the feet bare
walked barefoot
barefoot boy, with cheek of tan—J. G. Whittier

Examples of barefoot in a Sentence

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.
The nurse was walking barefoot through the intensive care unit, talking to herself and acting abrasively toward others. — Alexandra Byrne, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026 The zero-drop insoles provide a natural fit that feels like walking barefoot (with more support, of course), and rubber outsoles will keep you safe from slipping on slick airport floors. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026 The children, who went barefoot and shirtless, tried on Gajdusek’s shoes and socks and examined the texture of his skin. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 If going barefoot or without shoes could cause a bit of chaos, keep them on. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for barefoot

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barefoot was before the 12th century

Rhymes for barefoot

See All Rhymes for barefoot

Browse Nearby Words

barefit
barefoot
barefoot auger
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Barefoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barefoot. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

barefoot

adverb or adjective
bare·​foot -ˌfu̇t How to pronounce barefoot (audio)
variants or barefooted
-ˈfu̇t-əd How to pronounce barefoot (audio)
: with the feet bare : without shoes
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All