# barefoot

/ˈbɛɹˌfʊt/ (US) · /bˈeəfʊt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barefoot
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. wearing no shoes

adjective · CEFR A2

wearing nothing on your feet.

For teachers: not wearing any footwear or socks; used as a predicative or attributive adjective.

- The barefoot children were running across the hot sand toward the ocean.
- The barefoot pilgrims walked for miles over the stony path as a traditional sign of humility and devotion.

### 2. without shoes

adverb · CEFR A2

without wearing any shoes or socks.

For teachers: in a manner characterized by the absence of footwear.

- We love to walk barefoot on the grass in the summer.
- After a long day in high heels, she preferred to walk barefoot across the cool marble floor of the lobby.

Usage: Usually follows the verb of movement, such as 'walk' or 'run'.

### 3. radio transmission

adjective · CEFR C2 · Slang · Technical

sending a radio signal without using extra power equipment.

For teachers: transmitting a signal directly from a transceiver without the assistance of an external power amplifier.

- He is a purist who prefers to go barefoot when using his ham radio.
- The operator managed to reach a station in Europe while running barefoot, despite the poor atmospheric conditions that usually require an amplifier.

Teaching tip: This is highly specialized jargon used almost exclusively by amateur radio enthusiasts.

## Examples

- She walked barefoot on the warm sand.
- The children ran barefoot through the garden after their morning bath.
- He stood barefoot on the cold stone floor, feeling the chill rise through his soles as the room grew quiet.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.