barefoot

American  

[bair-foot] / ˈbɛərˌfʊt /

adjective

1. Also barefooted. with the feet bare.

   a barefoot boy;

   to walk barefoot.

2. Carpentry. (of a post or stud) secured to a sill or the like without mortising.

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barefoot British  

/ ˈbɛəˌfʊt /

adjective

1. with the feet uncovered

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Etymology

Origin of barefoot

before 1000; Middle English barfot, Old English bærfōt. See bare ¹, foot

Explanation

When you're barefoot, you're not wearing any shoes or socks. It might feel good to walk barefoot on a sandy beach on a warm day, but just don't try entering a restaurant barefoot. Some kids might spend the whole summer barefoot, walking down sidewalks with their sneakers in their hands, and if you're a lifeguard or a professional gymnast, you get to be barefoot at work. The Old English root of barefoot is bærfot, combining bær, "naked" or "uncovered," with fot, "foot."

Example Sentences

But the brother, who was barefoot, became exhausted and said he could no longer continue.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Avoid walking on the trail barefoot or in open-toed shoes.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

They walked in single file, many of them barefoot, carrying flowers, handing out bracelets and picking up new followers along the way.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

Devotees bearing offerings such as milk pots or carrying elaborate and heavy metal frames called "kavadis" walked barefoot up 272 steps to reach the temple.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

She landed barefoot and filthy with smoke and soot.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein