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

The smell of fresh paint was the only tip-off a renovation had taken place. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Head coach Chris DeMarco ruled Breanna Stewart (knee) out less than two hours before tip-off of Wednesday’s regular-season finale. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026

Plus, holding a player out could be a tip-off in its own right. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2026

That was a major tip-off as to how tonight’s episode would end. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 Aug. 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