web foot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialized/Biological
Quick answer
What does “web foot” mean?
A foot with webbed toes, adapted for swimming, as found in aquatic birds or amphibians.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A foot with webbed toes, adapted for swimming, as found in aquatic birds or amphibians.
An informal term sometimes used to describe a person with a condition where toes are connected by a fold of skin (syndactyly). Also used metaphorically to imply a clumsy or awkward gait.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English prefers 'webfoot' as a single closed compound more frequently than 'web foot', though both forms are used. American English shows stronger preference for the open compound 'web foot'. The hyphenated form 'web-foot' is also common in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, the literal biological meaning is neutral. The informal use describing a person's gait carries a mildly negative or teasing connotation.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties. Slightly more common in British English in its literal sense, particularly in birdwatching literature.
Grammar
How to Use “web foot” in a Sentence
X has a web footX's web footthe web foot of XVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “web foot” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The coot is a web-footed bird common on British reservoirs.
- The web-footed gecko is a popular exotic pet.
American English
- The platypus is a web-footed mammal.
- They observed a web-footed salamander in the creek.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in biological, zoological, and evolutionary science texts to describe anatomical adaptations.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used when observing ducks at a pond or in light-hearted remarks about someone's swimming style.
Technical
Precise anatomical descriptor in ornithology, herpetology, and mammalogy (e.g., for otters, beavers).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “web foot”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “web foot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “web foot”
- Using 'web foot' to describe the entire leg of an aquatic animal.
- Misspelling as 'webfeet' for the singular form.
- Incorrect plural: 'web foots' instead of 'web feet'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'web foot' (open compound) and 'webfoot' (closed compound) are accepted, as is the hyphenated 'web-foot'. Dictionaries vary, but the open form is common in formal biological writing.
They are essentially synonymous. 'Web foot' is a noun compound naming the type of foot, while 'webbed foot' uses the adjective 'webbed' to describe it. 'Webbed foot' is slightly more common in general use.
Yes, 'web-footed' (hyphenated) is the standard adjectival form, as in 'web-footed birds'. The unhyphenated 'web footed' is considered incorrect.
Yes, it can be. While sometimes used jokingly to describe someone who is a good swimmer or clumsy on land, it is more often associated with the medical condition syndactyly and could be perceived as insensitive or derogatory.
A foot with webbed toes, adapted for swimming, as found in aquatic birds or amphibians.
Web foot is usually specialized/biological in register.
Web foot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɛb fʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɛb ˌfʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be web-footed (colloquial: to be clumsy on land).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a duck's foot with skin between the toes like a SWIMmer's WEB.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TOOL FOR NAVIGATION (water as a medium).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these animals is NOT typically described as having a 'web foot'?