webfoot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialized, Zoological, Literary
Quick answer
What does “webfoot” mean?
A foot having the toes connected by a fold of skin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A foot having the toes connected by a fold of skin; specifically adapted for swimming.
An animal (especially a bird or amphibian) possessing such feet; can be used metaphorically to describe a person with a distinctive, broad, or splayed-footed gait.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant dialectal differences in meaning or usage. The spelling as one word ('webfoot') or hyphenated ('web-foot') is more variable in older texts, but 'webfoot' is now standard in both varieties.
Connotations
The same neutral/technical connotation in both varieties. The metaphorical use is equally rare in both BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Low frequency word in both varieties, encountered primarily in wildlife contexts, biology textbooks, or descriptive nature writing.
Grammar
How to Use “webfoot” in a Sentence
[animal/creature] has/possesses a webfootthe webfoot of [animal]the webfoot adaptation allows for [action]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “webfoot” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The webfoot design of the coot is highly efficient for propulsion.
American English
- Its webfoot structure allows the pelican to paddle powerfully.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, and evolutionary science texts to describe anatomical adaptations.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation, except perhaps when discussing ducks, geese, or other waterfowl.
Technical
Standard term in herpetology (for amphibians like frogs) and ornithology (for water birds).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “webfoot”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “webfoot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “webfoot”
- Misspelling as 'web foot' (two words) in modern technical writing.
- Overextending the term to describe any animal that swims, rather than specifically those with the physical webbing.
- Incorrect plural: 'webfoots' is sometimes used, but 'webfeet' is more standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern English, it is standardly written as one word: 'webfoot'. The hyphenated form 'web-foot' is considered dated.
Only in a very rare, metaphorical, or humorous sense to describe someone with toes that are unusually splayed or connected. The medical term is 'syndactyly'.
A 'webfoot' typically refers to a foot where the toes are connected by skin (webbing), as in ducks. A 'flipper' is a broader, flattened limb without distinct toes, as in seals or turtles. They are both adaptations for swimming but differ in structure.
No, it is a specialized (C1 level) term. The more common everyday phrase is 'webbed feet'.
A foot having the toes connected by a fold of skin.
Webfoot is usually specialized, zoological, literary in register.
Webfoot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɛbfʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɛbfʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be born with a webfoot (metaphorical for being a natural swimmer)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FOOT with a WEB between the toes, like a duck's foot, used for swimming.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ADAPTATION IS A TOOL (the webfoot is a tool for swimming); NATURAL EFFICIENCY (the webfoot represents a perfect design for its environment).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these animals is most likely to have a webfoot?