stepping-stones

Path across water

Stepping-stones are flat stones placed in shallow water or muddy ground to provide a dry path across: She hopped from one stepping-stone to the next.

Figuratively, stepping-stones are intermediate stages that help you progress toward a goal: She saw the internship as a stepping-stone to a permanent position.

The singular stepping-stone works the same way.

progress

advancement

Forward movement or promotion

preparation · groundwork · stages · phases · journey · trajectory · interim · incremental · sequential · gradual

pathway

flagstones

Flat stones for paving

garden · landscaping · patio · courtyard · pond · ornamental · decorative · arrangement · spacing · placement

crossing

stream

Steady continuous flow

  • brookSmall flowing watercourse
  • riverLarge flowing watercourse
  • fordWalkable river crossing

wade · hop · jump · leap · skip · boulder · rock · balance · current · waterway

Opposites
permanence and structure

stepping-stonesbridge

Structure spanning an obstacle

paved road · causeway · viaduct · overpass · tunnel

progression and advancement

stepping-stonesdead end

Passage without outlet

stumbling blocks · obstacles · barriers · roadblocks · impediments

continuity of path

stepping-stonessolid ground

Stable surface beneath

open water · chasm

Family

step, stone, steps, stones, stepped, stoning, stoned, stepper, steppers

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G