tip-off

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈtip-ˌȯf 

1

: warning, tip

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

Synonyms of tip-off

Noun (1)

• warning

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

Noun

But hours before tip-off, the conversation shifted. —Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026

There are also the mini dance parties that happen just before game tip-offs, and former UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos-Field taught the team choreography in 2024. —Haley Sawyer, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026

There were a few empty seats at tip-off, but when fans arrived, the place was loud and filled with Ballhalla energy. —Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

Smith and Loyer, a fellow Indiana native, arrived on campus in 2022 and joined Painter's lineup from Day 1, which put them at 146 starts and counting by tip-off against Queens on Friday night. —ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for tip-off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

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