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
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
When the national anthem played just before tip-off, the jumbotron inside the arena flashed to the president, standing in his suite alongside MAGA luminaries including Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Dan Scavino. Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 9 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 Game 3 ticket prices ranged from $5,200-$329,000 on StubHub hours before tip-off. Alice Gainer, CBS News, 8 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 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 15 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

More from Merriam-Webster on tip-off

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster