How to pronounce tenderfoot
American English pronunciation
TEN-der-foot
- IPA
- /ˈtɛndɚˌfʊt/
- Syllables
- TEN · der · foot (3 syllables, stress on the 1st)
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What tenderfoot means
A newcomer who has little experience
In a sentence: As a tenderfoot at camp, Ben didn't know how to pitch a tent.
Where it comes from: It refers to the soft feet of newcomers to the ranches and mines of the American West. It was first used in 1866.
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