tiptoe

1 of 4

noun

tip·​toe ˈtip-ˌtō 

-ˈtō

: 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

tiptoe

2 of 4

verb

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

tiptoe

3 of 4

adverb

: on or as if on tiptoe

tiptoe

4 of 4

adjective

1

: standing or walking on or as if on tiptoe

2

: cautious, stealthy

Phrases

on tiptoe

: alert, aroused

the contest of skill that puts one on tiptoe to win

—Deerfield (Wisc.) Independent

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

Noun

No less than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar introduced the band, leading to some light comedy when Hancock had to stand on tiptoe to retrieve his microphone afterward. —Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 15 Aug. 2024

Giada had to stand on her tiptoes just to almost reach the same height as her daughter. —Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 29 July 2024

Verb

But this latest look is truly ideal for anyone who's just tiptoeing into autumn instead of diving head-first into Halloween season. —Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Sep. 2024

Next stop was the vaunted worm room, reached by tiptoeing over the dirt floor. —Patricia Marx, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1661, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adverb

1592, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tiptoe

• on tiptoe
• tiptoe around

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