tiptoe

1 of 4

noun

tip·​toe ˈtip-ˌtō 

-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

: cautious, stealthy

Phrases

on tiptoe

: alert, aroused

the contest of skill that puts one on tiptoe to win

—Deerfield (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

Noun

Throw it back to your childhood and introduce your kids to the ‘80s and ‘90s classics that just get better with age, or help younger kids conquer their fears and tiptoe into the underworld with age-appropriate content that will give them a thrill without the nightmares. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024

In essence, from creating history at trials to claiming medals in Paris, Ryan Murphy continues to keep the fans on tiptoes every Olympic year. —Paras J. Haji, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

Verb

Never one to tiptoe out of his preferred studio confines with any regularity, Lynne nonetheless crafted an absolutely dazzling production stocked with gripping visuals (in a pre-Sphere world) and perhaps the most pristine sound ever heard at a rock show. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024

After stretching from bags, small leather goods and belts to eyewear in 2019, in 2023 the brand tiptoed into jewelry, a long-time passion of the sister duo. —Sandra Salibian, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing tiptoe

• tiptoe around

Kids Definition

tiptoe

1 of 3 noun

tip·​toe ˈtip-ˌtō 

-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