-step

suffix

Denoting a genre of electronic dance music, especially one influenced by drum and bass.

“dub + -step → dubstep”

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Meanings

suffix
  1. entertainmentDenoting a genre of electronic dance music, especially one influenced by drum and bass.

    dub + -step → dubstep

    2 more examples

    drum + -step → drumstep

    jazz + -step → jazzstep

Origin

Back-formation from hardstep (“a subgenre of drum and bass music characterised by a gritty production style and urban feel”), which emerged around 1994.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

-step. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-step

MLA

“-step.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-step. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “-step,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/-step.

Source: -step on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.