tiptoe

1 of 4

noun

tip·​toe ˈtip-ˌtō How to pronounce tiptoe (audio)
-ˈtō
: the position of being balanced on the balls of the feet and toes with the heels raised
usually used with on
also : the ends of the toes

tiptoe

2 of 4

verb

tiptoed; tiptoeing

intransitive verb

1
: to walk or proceed quietly or cautiously on or as if on tiptoe
tiptoe around the issue
2
: to stand or raise oneself on tiptoe

tiptoe

3 of 4

adverb

: on or as if on tiptoe

tiptoe

4 of 4

adjective

1
: standing or walking on or as if on tiptoe
2
Phrases
on tiptoe
: alert, aroused
the contest of skill that puts one on tiptoe to winDeerfield (Wisc.) Independent

Examples of tiptoe in a Sentence

Verb She tiptoed through the puddle. He tiptoed quietly around the house to avoid waking the children. Adverb She had to stand tiptoe to reach the shelf.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Latecomers are standing on tiptoes, peering between flags, white shirts, television cameras and phones. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024 Not long afterward, a derrick anchored offshore and began clawing apart the bluff, clouding Lake Michigan as neighbors, standing on tiptoes, held their phones above the privacy netting and gaped. Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 7 Aug. 2024
Verb
But the allegations came, and quietly went, and Zambia tiptoed towards its second Olympics, having appeared at the Tokyo Games in 2021. Melanie Anzidei, The Athletic, 25 July 2024 Bo Nix connects with Jaleel McLaughlin who tiptoed into the end zone. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tiptoe 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1661, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adverb

1592, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tiptoe was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tiptoe

Cite this Entry

“Tiptoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiptoe. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tiptoe

1 of 3 noun
tip·​toe ˈtip-ˌtō How to pronounce tiptoe (audio)
-ˈtō
1
: the tip of a toe
2
: the ends of the toes

tiptoe

2 of 3 adverb or adjective
: on or as if on tiptoe

tiptoe

3 of 3 verb
tiptoed; tiptoeing
: to walk on tiptoe
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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