two-step

noun

ˈtü-ˌstep How to pronounce two-step (audio)
1
: a ballroom dance in ²/₄ or ⁴/₄ time having a basic pattern of step-close-step
2
: a piece of music for the two-step
two-step intransitive verb

Examples of two-step in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two-step reveal from Lynda Carter is almost a dare to the beauty industry. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 Under the existing two-step process, competing teams must include thorough engineering and financial details as part of their proposals before NASA selects finalists for further study. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026 This two-step exfoliant bottles a little of that magic up for at-home use. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026 The company uses a proprietary two-step process that first removes gums and other noncellulosic components from raw hemp fiber, then refines the material for spinning on equipment already used to process cotton and synthetic fibers. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for two-step

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of two-step was in 1895

Rhymes for two-step

See All Rhymes for two-step

Browse Nearby Words

two-star
two-step
two-story
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Two-step.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/two-step. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on two-step

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about two-step

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All