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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Tread

trɛd
Common
~ 4800
~ 4800, Common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
To step or walk on or over something., To crush or press something with the feet., To proceed or advance cautiously., To walk in a specified way.

Tread - Meanings

To step or walk on or over something.

Example: She carefully treaded on the icy sidewalk.
Usage: formalContext: describing movement
Note: Can be used in both literal and metaphorical senses.

To crush or press something with the feet.

Example: He unknowingly treaded on the flowers in the garden.
Usage: formalContext: gardening or environmental contexts
Note: Often used to describe accidental or careless actions.

To proceed or advance cautiously.

Example: Let's tread carefully in this delicate situation.
Usage: formalContext: discussing sensitive matters
Note: Commonly used in discussions involving risks or potential consequences.

To walk in a specified way.

Example: She treaded lightly as she entered the room.
Usage: informalContext: describing movement
Note: Can imply a sense of grace or caution in one's steps.

Tread's synonyms

step

To move by lifting and setting down one foot after the other.
Example: She took a careful step forward on the icy path.
Note: Similar to 'tread,' but 'step' often implies a deliberate action of moving one foot ahead of the other.

walk

To move on foot at a moderate pace by taking regular steps.
Example: He walked lightly across the creaky floorboards.
Note: While 'tread' can imply a more cautious or deliberate action, 'walk' suggests a regular or casual movement.

trample

To crush, damage, or destroy by walking heavily or treading forcefully.
Example: The crowd trampled the flowers during the festival.
Note: Unlike 'tread,' 'trample' specifically conveys a sense of heavy or forceful stepping that causes damage or destruction.

march

To walk with regular and measured steps, especially in a formal or organized way.
Example: The soldiers marched in formation across the parade ground.
Note: While 'tread' can refer to any type of walking, 'march' often implies a more structured and purposeful movement, such as in a military or ceremonial context.

Tread expressions, common phrases

Tread carefully

To proceed cautiously and with awareness of potential risks or consequences.
Example: Before making any decisions, it's important to tread carefully and consider all possible outcomes.
Note: The phrase 'tread carefully' extends the meaning of 'tread' to emphasize the need for caution.

Tread lightly

To approach a situation or topic delicately and with sensitivity.
Example: When discussing sensitive topics, it's advisable to tread lightly to avoid offending anyone.
Note: In this idiom, 'tread lightly' implies being gentle or cautious in one's actions, beyond the physical act of walking lightly.

Tread water

To maintain one's position or stay afloat without making progress, especially in difficult circumstances.
Example: Despite facing challenges, she managed to tread water until help arrived.
Note: This idiom uses 'tread' metaphorically to describe staying in the same place rather than moving forward.

Tread the boards

To act or perform on a stage, typically in a theatrical production.
Example: As a talented actor, he loved to tread the boards and perform on stage.
Note: This phrase refers specifically to performing on a stage, expanding 'tread' from physical action to include theatrical performance.

Tread a fine line

To navigate a situation where there is a delicate balance between two extremes or opposing factors.
Example: In political debates, candidates often have to tread a fine line between being assertive and respectful.
Note: The idiom 'tread a fine line' suggests the need to carefully balance conflicting elements, going beyond the simple act of walking.

Tread on someone's toes

To unintentionally offend or encroach upon someone's territory or responsibilities.
Example: I didn't mean to tread on her toes by offering suggestions; I just wanted to help.
Note: This idiom uses 'tread' in a figurative sense, indicating causing offense or stepping into someone's personal space rather than physical walking.

Tread the same path

To follow the same course of action or make similar choices as someone else.
Example: Despite their differences, they both decided to tread the same path towards their shared goal.
Note: In this idiom, 'tread' is used metaphorically to signify following a similar route or decision-making process as another person.

Tread a path

To blaze a trail or explore a new direction, often in uncharted territory.
Example: As a pioneer in her field, she had to tread a path that few others had ventured on before.
Note: This phrase expands 'tread' to convey the act of forging a new path or taking a unique direction, beyond the literal meaning of walking.

Tread the line

To carefully balance between two opposing viewpoints or actions.
Example: As a judge, she had to tread the line between upholding the law and showing compassion.
Note: This idiom extends 'tread' to convey the idea of walking along a boundary or edge, metaphorically representing the delicate balance between conflicting choices.

Tread everyday (slang) expressions

Tread on thin ice

To be in a risky or delicate situation where a misstep could have serious consequences.
Example: He's treading on thin ice with his boss after missing the deadline again.
Note: This phrase implies a precarious situation rather than literally walking on ice.

Tread the beat

To patrol or walk a regular route, especially in law enforcement or security roles.
Example: Police officers often have to tread the beat in urban areas to maintain law and order.
Note: This term specifically refers to walking a designated route for monitoring purposes.

Tread the path

To follow a unique or unconventional path or approach.
Example: In order to succeed in this field, you must be willing to tread the path less traveled by others.
Note: This phrase emphasizes taking a different or less common route compared to the traditional path.

Tread the line between

To navigate and keep a balance between two differing situations or responsibilities.
Example: She's treading the line between study and social life, trying to balance both.
Note: This term highlights the act of balancing rather than the risk associated with a fine line.

Tread a different course

To take a new direction or follow a different path than initially planned.
Example: After years in finance, he decided to tread a different course and pursue his passion for art.
Note: This expression denotes a change in direction or pursuit rather than staying on the same course.

Tread the jagged line

To navigate a tricky or sharp-edged situation where conflicting interests are at play.
Example: She had to tread the jagged line between honesty and protecting her friend's feelings in her critique.
Note: This term conveys a sense of navigating through conflicting or sharp-edged considerations.

Tread - Examples

The hiker tread carefully on the rocky terrain.
The horse's hooves tread heavily on the pavement.
The sound of his tread echoed through the empty hallway.

Tread grammar

Tread - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: tread
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): treads, tread
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): tread
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): trod
Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): trodden
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): treading
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): treads
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): tread
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): tread
Syllabification and Stress
tread Contains 1 syllables: tread
Phonetic transcription: ˈtred
tread , ˈtred (The red syllable is stressed)

Tread - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
tread: ~ 4800 (Common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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