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

see also:

on tiptoe

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

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

Alkalaf was the reserve referee for the final and the Jordanian is up on his tiptoes. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 July 2026

On the tour with Krueger, Ingrid Barkow watched from her wheelchair as the elephants roamed their habitat, while Monika Jansen balanced on her tiptoes to get a better view of a rhinoceros. — ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026

Verb

This list continues to tiptoe away from major cities to the countryside, with rural wellness retreats in Portugal’s Algarve and cliffside boutique stays on quieter Greek islands rising to the top. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026

Plunk down in one of the Adirondack chairs strewn along the shore and zen out to the rippling waters while watching for deer tiptoeing along the stream. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026

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

• on tiptoe
• tiptoe around

Rhymes for tiptoe

• beau
• beaut
• beaux
• blow
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

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