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

On Thursday, June 25, the California City Police Department (CCPD) brought Kenneth Dobbins into custody following a tip-off from a member of the public, NBC 4 Los Angeles reported. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Lisa Leslie and Kym Hampton were at center court for the pregame tip-off. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 22 June 2026

Kevin and Kayvon Hill, two brothers and lifelong New York Knicks fans from Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, arrived at Madison Square Garden at noon on Saturday, almost nine hours before the tip-off of Game 5 of the NBA finals. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026

Before Karl-Anthony Towns can win a tip-off or Jalen Brunson can score a basket, Avery Wilson sets the tone. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 June 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