: 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
tiptoed; tiptoeing
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
: on or as if on tiptoe
Examples of tiptoe in a Sentence
Verb
She tiptoed through the puddle.
He tiptoed quietly around the house to avoid waking the children.
Adverb
She had to stand tiptoe to reach the shelf.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
No one is born with the ability to ride a skateboard, surf or even stand on their tiptoes.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2023
In the pic, the gymnast stood on tiptoes as the couple embraced.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023
The Barbie movie press rollout has been packed with plenty of memorable moments, but none has been more internet-breaking than the very first glimpse of Margot Robbie stepping out of Barbie's shoes on tiptoe with perfectly arched feet.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 July 2023
To recreate a now iconic scene in the Barbie movie, some TikTokers are attempting to step out of high heels, walk on tiptoes, and maintain their feet in an arched position.
—Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 28 July 2023
Explosively raise up onto your tiptoes, lifting the med ball high and throwing your arms over your shoulders.
—David Otey, Men's Health, 20 July 2023
So when the trailer for the upcoming live-action Barbie movie opened with a shot of star Margot Robbie stepping out of Barbie’s marabou stilettos, still on tiptoes, the internet exploded.
—Time, 27 June 2023
Rather than struggle to a breakdown or breakthrough, mother and child tiptoe to acceptance.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 16 May 2023
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2023
That was the message all week — all month, really — with USC still tiptoeing along the precipice of its season.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2023
Wexner Foundation cuts ties with Harvard over 'tiptoeing' on Hamas
The statement spurred backlash from a number of powerful alumni and business leaders, including billionaire hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman, who called for those who signed the letter to be identified and blacklisted from employment.
—Eric Levenson, CNN, 19 Oct. 2023
The founder of the famed Italian racing and sports-car manufacturer rises from his mistress’s bed, steps into his trousers and tiptoes out the door, pushing his Peugeot 403 down the driveway before starting the engine.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 19 Oct. 2023
Branch received the kickoff near the four-yard line, tiptoed forward slowly and hit overdrive straight up the middle.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2023
The setup tiptoes toward a worrisome level of whimsy, but Adams pulls back from laying it on too thick, and Harper is always there to ground things.
—Vulture, 26 May 2023
Some of Trump's Republican opponents are tiptoeing towards pointing out that a campaign year full of courtroom motions and trials might not be great general election politics for the GOP.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 27 Aug. 2023
Catwoman, tiptoe into a fledgling courtship while trading blows on rooftops.
—Vulture, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
Noun
And so the show walks on tiptoe, like a Lady in Waiting reluctant to wake up her sovereign.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
No one is born with the ability to ride a skateboard, surf or even stand on their tiptoes.
—Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2023
In the pic, the gymnast stood on tiptoes as the couple embraced.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023
The Barbie movie press rollout has been packed with plenty of memorable moments, but none has been more internet-breaking than the very first glimpse of Margot Robbie stepping out of Barbie's shoes on tiptoe with perfectly arched feet.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 July 2023
To recreate a now iconic scene in the Barbie movie, some TikTokers are attempting to step out of high heels, walk on tiptoes, and maintain their feet in an arched position.
—Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 28 July 2023
Explosively raise up onto your tiptoes, lifting the med ball high and throwing your arms over your shoulders.
—David Otey, Men's Health, 20 July 2023
So when the trailer for the upcoming live-action Barbie movie opened with a shot of star Margot Robbie stepping out of Barbie’s marabou stilettos, still on tiptoes, the internet exploded.
—Time, 27 June 2023
Rather than struggle to a breakdown or breakthrough, mother and child tiptoe to acceptance.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 16 May 2023
Verb
Under Sarah Hughes’s unrushed direction, Daphne is a tiptoeing, dreamlike affair, too committed to being disquieting to be described as gentle but consistently soft.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2023
That was the message all week — all month, really — with USC still tiptoeing along the precipice of its season.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2023
Wexner Foundation cuts ties with Harvard over 'tiptoeing' on Hamas
The statement spurred backlash from a number of powerful alumni and business leaders, including billionaire hedge fund CEO Bill Ackman, who called for those who signed the letter to be identified and blacklisted from employment.
—Eric Levenson, CNN, 19 Oct. 2023
The founder of the famed Italian racing and sports-car manufacturer rises from his mistress’s bed, steps into his trousers and tiptoes out the door, pushing his Peugeot 403 down the driveway before starting the engine.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 19 Oct. 2023
Branch received the kickoff near the four-yard line, tiptoed forward slowly and hit overdrive straight up the middle.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2023
The setup tiptoes toward a worrisome level of whimsy, but Adams pulls back from laying it on too thick, and Harper is always there to ground things.
—Vulture, 26 May 2023
Some of Trump's Republican opponents are tiptoeing towards pointing out that a campaign year full of courtroom motions and trials might not be great general election politics for the GOP.
—Nbc Universal, NBC News, 27 Aug. 2023
Catwoman, tiptoe into a fledgling courtship while trading blows on rooftops.
—Vulture, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tiptoe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing tiptoe
Dictionary Entries Near tiptoe
Cite this Entry
“Tiptoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiptoe. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
tiptoe
1 of 3 noun
tip·toe
ˈtip-ˌtō 
-ˈtō
1
: the tip of a toe
2
: the ends of the toes
tiptoe
2 of 3 adverb or adjective
: on or as if on tiptoe
tiptoe
3 of 3 verb
tiptoed; tiptoeing
: to walk on tiptoe
More from Merriam-Webster on tiptoe
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tiptoe
Nglish: Translation of tiptoe for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tiptoe for Arabic Speakers
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