# doorstep

/ˈdɔɹˌstɛp/ (US) · /dˈɔːstɛp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/doorstep
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. physical step

noun · CEFR B1

a step outside the door of a house or building.

For teachers: a step or small platform outside the entrance of a building.

- The delivery driver left the package on the doorstep and rang the bell.
- The old woman sat on her doorstep every evening, watching the neighbourhood children play in the street until the lamps flickered on.

### 2. very close by

noun · CEFR B2

the area very close to where you live.

For teachers: the immediate vicinity or locality of one's residence.

- We are lucky to have a beautiful park right on our doorstep.
- Living in the city centre means having world-class museums and galleries right on your doorstep, though the noise can be a significant drawback.

### 3. thick slice of bread

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Informal

a very thick slice of bread.

For teachers: a particularly thick slice of bread, typically hand-cut.

- He made a massive sandwich with two doorsteps of white bread.
- The farmhouse breakfast included two doorsteps of toasted bloomer bread, heavily buttered and served with homemade marmalade.

### 4. to visit houses

verb · CEFR C1 · British English

to go from house to house to sell things or ask for support.

For teachers: to visit households in succession for the purpose of canvassing, soliciting donations, or sales.

- The local politician spent the weekend doorstepping residents to hear their concerns.
- Charity volunteers spent the afternoon doorstepping the affluent suburbs, hoping to secure monthly pledges for the new community centre.

### 5. to corner for an interview

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to wait outside someone's house to get an unexpected interview.

For teachers: to wait outside a person's home or place of work to obtain an unsolicited interview or statement.

- Reporters tried to doorstep the minister as he left his home this morning.
- The tabloid was criticised for doorstepping the grieving family only hours after the news of the accident had broken.

Usage: Often used in the context of investigative journalism.

## Examples

- I left the package on your doorstep.
- The delivery driver placed the heavy box on the doorstep and rang the bell.
- Standing on the doorstep, she hesitated, wondering if it was too late to interrupt their evening dinner.

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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.