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
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Recent Examples of tiptoe from the Web
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Jessica Bradley rose on her tiptoes to pet the trunk.
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Standing on her tiptoes, López peered out at the rivers of protesters streaming along the avenue.
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Marcine lifted the lid, got on his tiptoes and peeked inside.
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
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
Examples of tiptoe in a Sentence
She had to stand tiptoe to reach the shelf.
Recent Examples of tiptoe from the Web
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This isn't Middleton's first time tiptoeing the fine line between provocative and ladylike with her Wimbledon wardrobe.
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Little by little, people began to follow her lead, tiptoeing past him and his grumbling.
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There are definitely some boundaries being tiptoed upon.
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The United States cannot tiptoe around Iran and the Syrian regime while capturing strategic territory and resources.
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Handel has tiptoed around Trump, making cautious statements when asked about the president.
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Hard Aces qualifies as a hard knocker — a hale, resilient type who is hardly tiptoeing into senior citizenhood.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence has tiptoed gingerly through the chaos engulfing the White House — offering loyalty to his boss, while trying to avoid the spreading stain of scandal.
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Andrew Cashner tiptoed through trouble through much of six innings but kept escaping jams.
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
circa 1661
tiptoe
Definition of tiptoe
: on or as if on tiptoe
First Known Use of tiptoe
1592
Examples of tiptoe in a Sentence
She tiptoed through the puddle.
He tiptoed quietly around the house to avoid waking the children.
First Known Use of tiptoe
1593
TIPTOE Defined for English Language Learners
tiptoe
Definition of tiptoe for English Language Learners
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: with your toes touching the ground and your heels raised up
tiptoe
Definition of tiptoe for English Language Learners
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: to walk with your heels raised up and only your toes touching the ground
TIPTOE Defined for Kids
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.
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.
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
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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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