tiptoe

noun tip·toe \ ˈtip-ˌtō , -ˈtō \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

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

In America’s Game, the end of an era departed on tiptoe.

— michael farber, SI.com, "Mark Moseley, Last of the Straight-On Kickers," 2 July 2018
The room was hot and sweaty and smelled like feet, and Red Bull skydiver Jeff Provenzano was struggling to hold a squat on tiptoe.

— jacqueline detwiler, Popular Mechanics, "This Pro Skydiver Was Invincible—Until his Heart Stopped Beating Regularly," 22 June 2018
The tiptoe toward retirement carries far greater importance than the typical executive turnover.

— philip elliott, Time, "Billionaire Industrialist David Koch Retires From Business and Politics," 5 June 2018
Many of the women’s turns were executed with the foot on half tiptoe rather than fully on the tips of the toes.

— New York Times, "In ‘Harlequinade,’ Gestures Dance, and Dances Tell Stories," 29 May 2018
Austin departs on her tiptoes, probably ferried in a chariot pulled by centaurs.

— tamar adler, Vogue, "What Statement Should Your Wedding Cake Make?," 17 May 2018
As Yong reports, another set of human prints—which were much fainter, as if the person was moving on tiptoes—approaches from the opposite direction.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Fossil Tracks May Record Ancient Humans Hunting Giant Sloths," 30 Apr. 2018
Spectators spring onto their tiptoes; a kid whoops and punches the air as the sled barrels through curve six.

— nick pachelli, Esquire, "Justin Olsen Will Get Lost," 8 Feb. 2018
The ones that want to get the information out kind of tiptoe around.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Glowing balls spotted near Charlotte as scientists look for aliens | Charlotte Observer," 10 Jan. 2018

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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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

When spiders tiptoe, lift their abdomen, and release silk, the strands pick up a negative charge.

— renae reints, Fortune, "Spiders Can Fly Through the Air for Miles Using Electricity, Study Finds," 6 July 2018
Agholor tiptoed in bounds after the rolling Foles found him on a comeback.

— jeff mclane, Philly.com, "Eagles practice observations: Jalen Mills locks down; Nelson Agholor explodes; Dallas Goedert catches on," 13 June 2018
Class speaker Zenzele Price was frank about the uncertainty of tiptoeing to the cusp of adulthood.

— matthew ormseth, courant.com, "Anita Hill, Tapped to Replace Keynote Speaker Accused of Sexual Misconduct, Warns Wesleyan Graduates of "Uncertain Times" Ahead," 27 May 2018
Despite Moscow’s rancorous relationship with the United States and Europe, investors have tiptoed back into Russian stocks and bonds over the last year, as the economy proved resilient to the raft of sanctions in recent years.

— matt phillips, New York Times, "Russian Markets Reel After U.S. Imposes New Sanctions," 9 Apr. 2018
Long a swaggering force, these conservatives now tiptoe on social media outlets like Twitter.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Once-powerful Saudi conservatives losing clout," 5 June 2018
Backers of California state Sen. Kevin de León, a Democrat challenging Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) from the left, are tiptoeing into the June 5 primary with their first TV ad.

— david weigel, Washington Post, "Super PAC goes on the air for Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s primary challenger," 12 Apr. 2018
Three cats — sometimes tiptoeing over the books on the tables — add some charm.

— jane perlez, New York Times, "A Beijing Bookstore Where George Washington Is on the Shelves," 20 Mar. 2018
That night, Soo Jin tiptoed into the room her sister shared with Grandmother, whose impossibly loud snoring covered up the girls’ whispering.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Algren Award runner-up: "Most Best Happy Korean Bright Star" by Michelle Massie," 2 June 2018

First Known Use of tiptoe

circa 1661

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

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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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

tiptoe

adjective

Definition of tiptoe

1 : standing or walking on or as if on tiptoe

2 : cautious, stealthy

First Known Use of tiptoe

1593

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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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tiptoe

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tiptoe

Definition of tiptoe

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tiptoe

Definition of tiptoe

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tiptoe

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TIPTOE Defined for English Language Learners

tiptoe

Definition of tiptoe for English Language Learners

tiptoe

Definition of tiptoe for English Language Learners

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