tiptoe

noun tip·toe \ ˈtip-ˌtō , -ˈtō \

Definition of tiptoe

: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

— on tiptoe

:alert, aroused

the contest of skill that puts one on tiptoe to win
—Deerfield (Wisc.) Independent

See tiptoe defined for English-language learners

See tiptoe defined for kids

Recent Examples of tiptoe from the Web

Addressing council and presenting the petitions were Sophia Ahmadadeen and Jana Gustin, both 11, as well as Chloe Gustin, 8, who stood on her tiptoes to reach the microphone on the podium.

— thomas jewell, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Heights issues rebuke over Paris Climate Accord: Council recap," 18 July 2017
To access some of the more tightly packed tables, anyone who’s not a string bean is forced to enter seats sideways, sometimes on tiptoe, and invade a neighbor’s space one of two ways: by butt or by crotch.

— tom sietsema, The Denver Post, "The latest loathsome restaurant trend: no space between tables," 16 June 2017
To access some of the more tightly packed tables, anyone who's not a string bean is forced to enter seats sideways, sometimes on tiptoe, and invade a neighbor's space one of two ways: by butt or by crotch.

— tom sietsema, chicagotribune.com, "Why personal space isn't on the menu at many restaurants," 14 June 2017
In the 1980 photo is a shaggy-haired John McFadden Jr., 13, on his tiptoes at the very back, the most junior employee here that day, raising his cherubic face to the camera to be included among his co-workers.

— andrew cotto, New York Times, "Staubitz Market in Brooklyn: 100 Years of Sawdust, Steaks and Chops," 14 June 2017
In the front yard there's a black granite monument with a silhouette of Michael Jackson on his tiptoes with an image of the moon in the backdrop.

— javonte anderson, chicagotribune.com, "Gary: Great food and memories of the King of Pop," 13 June 2017
Jessica Bradley rose on her tiptoes to pet the trunk.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "'Lovely things in the broken:' Muralist leads neighborhood tour of North Baltimore public art," 30 Apr. 2017
Standing on her tiptoes, López peered out at the rivers of protesters streaming along the avenue.

— camila osorio, The New Yorker, "New York City’s Domestic Workers, United Against Trump," 23 Jan. 2017
Marcine lifted the lid, got on his tiptoes and peeked inside.

— tim rohan, New York Times, "A Young Athlete’s World of Pain, and Where It Led," 22 June 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tiptoe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tiptoe

14th century

tiptoe

verb

Definition of tiptoe

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

See tiptoe defined for English-language learners

Examples of tiptoe in a Sentence

She tiptoed through the puddle.
He tiptoed quietly around the house to avoid waking the children.

Recent Examples of tiptoe from the Web

No, the Sounders tiptoed carefully in public, hoping to have Jones eventually come back.

— geoff baker, The Seattle Times, "Sounders’ situation with Joevin Jones shows soccer is different animal than other sports in this country," 27 Aug. 2017
Imagine a bull trying to tiptoe through a china shop.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "UK's Benny Snell is a train learning to side-step tacklers | Tim Sullivan," 15 Aug. 2017
Clinton used the provision to justify tariffs on Japanese imports of motorcycles and steel, and tiptoed right up the brink of issuing a 100% import tariff on Japanese luxury autos.

— clay chandler, Fortune, "CEO Daily: Saturday, August 5, 2017," 5 Aug. 2017
Where other cars tiptoe delicately over the road, this one plowed through with gusto.

— hannah elliott, Bloomberg.com, "The 1989 Lancia Delta Integrale Is a Little Box of Driving Joy," 26 July 2017
A businessman in a suit can't resist glancing at his phone and tiptoes away to make a call.

— jessica ravitz, CNN, "The guru's gift: Staying calm in a world of chaos," 19 July 2017
This isn't Middleton's first time tiptoeing the fine line between provocative and ladylike with her Wimbledon wardrobe.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Pippa Middleton Turns Up the Heat at Wimbledon in This Sultry Dress," 10 July 2017
Little by little, people began to follow her lead, tiptoeing past him and his grumbling.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "What the Angry White Man Teaches Us About Social Norms, Power, and Bias," 6 July 2017
There are definitely some boundaries being tiptoed upon.

— lanford beard, PEOPLE.com, "Hilary Duff Reveals Why Younger's New Season Might Have Switched Her to Team Charles," 28 June 2017

First Known Use of tiptoe

circa 1661

tiptoe

adverb

Definition of tiptoe

:on or as if on tiptoe

See tiptoe defined for English-language learners

Examples of tiptoe in a Sentence

She had to stand tiptoe to reach the shelf.

First Known Use of tiptoe

1592

tiptoe

adjective

Definition of tiptoe

1 :standing or walking on or as if on tiptoe

2 :cautious, stealthy

First Known Use of tiptoe

1593

TIPTOE Defined for English Language Learners

tiptoe

adverb

Definition of tiptoe for English Language Learners

: with your toes touching the ground and your heels raised up

tiptoe

verb

Definition of tiptoe for English Language Learners

: to walk with your heels raised up and only your toes touching the ground

TIPTOE Defined for Kids

tiptoe

noun tip·toe \ ˈtip-ˌtō \

Definition of tiptoe for Students

:the position of being balanced on the balls of the feet and toes with the heels raised —usually used with on

He stood on tiptoe.

tiptoe

adverb or adjective

Definition of tiptoe for Students

:on or as if on the balls of the feet and toes with the heels raised

I walked tiptoe past the dog.

tiptoe

verb

Definition of tiptoe for Students

tiptoed; tiptoeing

:to walk on the balls of the feet and toes with the heels raised

Learn More about tiptoe

See words that rhyme with tiptoe Spanish Central: Translation of tiptoe Nglish: Translation of tiptoe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tiptoe for Arabic speakers

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