Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pussyfoot

/ˈpʊsiˌfʊt/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.75 in modern English

Syllables: pussy-foot
IPA: /ˈpʊsiˌfʊt/

17

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To move silently, stealthily, or furtively.

Intransitive verb

verb

To act timidly or cautiously.

Intransitive verb

verb

To use euphemistic language or circumlocution.

Intransitive verb

noun

Countable; Dated

noun

Synonym of bluemink (“Ageratum houstonianum”).

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"— So are you going to practice what you’re preaching and stop pussyfooting around with Faye? — Hey, I’m 0 for 1 when it comes to practicing what I preach. These feet stay pussied for the time being."
"The TSSA union said the Government should "stop pussyfooting around" and place Euston at the heart of the transformative rail project."
""Then you talk up! And plain! What's there to be so pussyfooting about?""
""We keep off that road like a pussyfoot keeps off whiskey. Get it out of your bean that we're exploring a deserted ruin.""

Etymology

From pussy (“feline”) + foot; because of the light and careful tread of cats.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈpʊsiˌfʊt/
British English: /ˈpʊsiˌfʊt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

pussyfoots (present, singular) pussyfooting (participle, present) pussyfooted (participle, past) pussyfooted (past) pussyfoots (plural)

Derived Forms

pussyfooter pussyfootism

Phrases

walk on eggshells beat about the bush go around the houses

Frequently Paired Words

pussytoe walk on eggshells beat about the bush go around the houses

Synonyms

pollyfox bluemink sneak mouse creep

Rhymes With

put foot soot afoot foote underfoot caput

Questions

How do you pronounce pussyfoot?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpʊsiˌfʊt/.
What does pussyfoot mean?: To move silently, stealthily, or furtively.
Where does pussyfoot come from?: From pussy (“feline”) + foot; because of the light and careful tread of cats.

How to pronounce pussyfoot

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “pussyfoot”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈpʊsiˌfʊt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “pussyfoot”.
Repeat and practice — Say “pussyfoot” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.