tip-off

1 of 2

noun (1)

1
2
: a telltale sign

tip-off

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the act or an instance of putting the ball in play in basketball by a jump ball

Examples of tip-off in a Sentence

Noun (1) the retreat of the island's wildlife to higher ground was a tip-off that a tsunami was about to strike
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
With tip-off just around the corner, keep reading to find out how to watch the NBA Finals with and without cable, as well as how to find last-minute tickets to games. Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 5 June 2025 With Game 1 set to tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday (June 5), fans don’t have much time to ride Jay’s seven-figure bet on Fanatics or their sportsbook of choice this postseason, but plenty of fans were hyped to see the Brooklyn rap deity get in on the gambling action. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 June 2025 During the game, the court design accompanying t-shirt sold out before tip-off and is still sold out on Playa Society’s website. Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 Towns’ status was officially announced about a half hour before Thursday night’s tip-off. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tip-off

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

tip entry 8

Noun (2)

tip entry 5

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tip-off was in 1901

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tip-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tip-off. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

tip-off

1 of 2 noun
ˈtip-ˌȯf
1
: a warning that something is going to happen
2
: a telltale sign

tip-off

2 of 2 noun
: the start of a basketball game when the ball is thrown in the air and a player from each team jumps up and tries to get the ball

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