tip

¹tip

verb \ˈtip\

tippedtip·ping

Definition of TIP

transitive verb

1

: overturn, upset —usually used with over

2

a : cant, tilt

b : to raise and tilt forward in salute <tipped his hat>

intransitive verb

1

: to become tipped : topple

2

: lean, slant

— tip the scales

1

: to register weight <tips the scales at 285 pounds>

2

: to shift the balance of power or influence <tipped the scales in favor of a declaration of war — S. F. Bemis>

Origin of TIP

Middle English

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with TIP

blip, chip, clip, dip, drip, flip, grip, grippe, gyp, hip, kip, lip, nip, pip, quip, rip, scrip, ship, sip, skip, slip, snip, strip, trip, whip, yip, zip

²tip

noun

Definition of TIP

1

: the act or an instance of tipping : tilt

2

chiefly British : a place for depositing something (as rubbish) by dumping

First Known Use of TIP

1673

³tip

transitive verb

tippedtip·ping

Definition of TIP

1

a : to furnish with a tip

b (1) : to cover or adorn the tip of (2) : to blend (furs) for improved appearance by brushing the tips of the hair with dye

2

: to affix (an insert) in a book —often used with in

3

: to remove the ends of <tip raspberries>

Origin of TIP

Middle English tipped having a tip, from ⁴tip

First Known Use: 14th century

⁴tip

noun

Definition of TIP

1

: the usually pointed end of something <a pencil tip>

2

: a small piece or part serving as an end, cap, or point

— tipped \ˈtipt\ adjective

— on the tip of one's tongue

1

: about to be uttered <it was on the tip of my tongue to say exactly what I thought>

2

: just eluding recall

Origin of TIP

Middle English; akin to Middle High German zipf tip, Old English tæppa tap — more at tap

First Known Use: 14th century

⁵tip

noun

Definition of TIP

: a light touch or blow

Origin of TIP

Middle English tippe; akin to Low German tippen to tap

First Known Use: 15th century

⁶tip

verb

tippedtip·ping

Definition of TIP

transitive verb

1

: to strike lightly : tap

2

: to give (as a baseball) a glancing blow

intransitive verb

: tiptoe

First Known Use of TIP

1567

⁷tip

noun

Definition of TIP

1

: a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information

2

: a piece of advance or confidential information given by one thought to have access to special or inside sources

Origin of TIP

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1567

⁸tip

transitive verb

tippedtip·ping

Definition of TIP

1

: to impart a piece of information or advice about or to —often used with off

2

chiefly British : to mention as a likely candidate, prospective winner, or profitable investment : tout 4

— tip one's hand also tip one's mitt

: to declare one's intentions or reveal one's opinions or resources <the Justice Department wouldn't tip its hand by saying what its next move…would be — Newsweek>

First Known Use of TIP

1883

⁹tip

verb

tippedtip·ping

Definition of TIP

transitive verb

1

: give, present <this crew has tipped you the black spot — R. L. Stevenson>

2

: to give a gratuity to

intransitive verb

: to bestow a gratuity

Origin of TIP

perhaps from ⁶tip

First Known Use: circa 1610

¹⁰tip

noun

Definition of TIP

: a gift or a sum of money tendered for a service performed or anticipated : gratuity

First Known Use of TIP

1755