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
As the 2025-2026 NBA season prepares for tip-off, the 40-year-old will not be hitting the court. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 14 Oct. 2025 The rookie Sanders welcomed fans to Frontwave before Thursday’s tip-off, one year after Lincoln High School graduate Norman Powell did the same. Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025 Very few English clubs did in those days; even most of the bigger sides relied primarily on agent tip-offs or media coverage to alert them to exciting talents elsewhere in Europe. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 Prime Time As tip-off time approaches, Ellie heads to the court to pump up the crowd. Marc Williams, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 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 17 Oct. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on tip-off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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