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step-by-step

step-by-step

23 2.8
Done in separate parts, each finished before the next
  • adjective
  • /ˈstɛp baɪ ˈstɛp/
translation icon : paso a paso
  • The teacher provided a step-by-step guide to solving the math problems, ensuring each student understood before moving on.
  • step-by-step instructions
  • step-by-step procedure
  • step-by-step approach

Just take the step by step approach and start today.

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Examples

  • A bestselling author offers an engaging overview of the genre and a step-by-step approach to getting started.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The manual is written in a step-by-step manner, allowing teachers to implement these procedures.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Just take the step by step approach and start today.

  • Could you walk us through step by step what happens from now until when we hit the event horizon?

  • Show students how to use a simple, step-by-step strategy to achieve success on a specific type of task.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Each student was provided with a direction packet, complete with step-by-step instructions on how to create the basic game.

    Academic text (2012)
  • "Digging with Your Kids" gives step-by-step instructions on how to prepare and do an archaeological dig at home.

    Academic text (2001)
  • For each handwriting skill, a rationale and a step-by-step procedure section have been provided.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Experiments conducted with scanning tunneling microscopes in ultrahigh vacuum reveal a fascinating, step-by-step picture of the etching process.

    Academic text (1998)
  • I followed the step-by-step instructions to assemble the furniture, and it turned out perfectly.

Synonyms

one by one
vsstep-by-step
186 1.4

Things happen one after another, not at the same time

focuses on ordered stages of a process, not just individual items
one at a time
vsstep-by-step
107 1.9

Handle each person or thing in turn, not all at once

emphasizes completing whole parts before starting the next part
successive
vsstep-by-step
37 4.3

Coming one after another without a break

highlights completing each stage in turn rather than simple uninterrupted order
one step at a time
vsstep-by-step
32 2.8

To do a task slowly, handling each part before the next

is a neutral description of a process rather than advice
sequential
vsstep-by-step
17 4.9

Happening in a set order one part after another

adds the idea of finishing each part before starting the next
piecemeal
vsstep-by-step
17 7.0

Happening in small parts over time instead of all at once

emphasizes finishing each full stage before moving on, not partial pieces
one after another
vsstep-by-step
17 2.3

Things follow each other without a break

is about completing parts before moving on, not just events following
sequentially
vsstep-by-step
9 4.5

Things happen one after the other in a fixed order

requires finishing each stage before moving on, not just ordering
in stages
vsstep-by-step
5 3.5

You do things gradually, finishing one part before the next

is the hyphenated phrasing used for the same idea
successively
vsstep-by-step
3 4.4

One thing happens after another

demands finishing stages before proceeding, not merely following order
stepwise
vsstep-by-step
2 6.0

Happens in small steps rather than all at once

is about finishing each stage before starting the following one
multistep
vsstep-by-step
1 4.4

Having several stages that happen one after another

focuses on completing each stage before starting the following one
in small stages
vsstep-by-step
3.9

You do a little at a time instead of trying everything at once

refers to distinct, separate stages with completion before moving on
bit-by-bit
vsstep-by-step
3.5

Happens slowly, a little at a time

focuses on clear separate stages completed before the next stage

How Gradual

incremental
50 4.8
step-by-step
23 2.8
in stages
5 3.5
all at once
43 2.1

Surface Forms

step-by-step positive
step by step positive

Morphology

step-by-step = step (transparent) = by + step

The phrase 'step-by-step' clearly indicates a process that progresses in stages, which is directly derived from the meaning of the individual components. [Postprocessing: moved 'by' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Step-by-step simply joins step and by to mean 'one step at a time', like walking up stairs and doing each step before the next. That's why a step-by-step guide shows each stage in order so you do one part before you move on.