tip-off

1 of 2

noun (1)

Synonyms of tip-offnext
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

Synonyms of tip-off

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
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Noun
Robinson, 28, was listed as questionable before being cleared to play shortly before tip-off at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026 It’s been one week and some change since the WNBA tip-off, and a lot has already happened. Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 But a single reference to modern technology might be the only obvious tip-off to newbies that this isn’t strictly a 1940s text. Chris Willman, Variety, 27 May 2026 The Fever disclosed Clark’s injury two hours before tip-off on Wednesday. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026 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 8 Jun. 2026.

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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