tiptoe

noun tip·toe \ ˈtip-ˌtō , -ˈtō \

Updated on: 12 Apr 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

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
The other girls stalked around the stage, strutting on their tiptoes.

— lizzie feidelson, New York Times, "Inside the High-Drama World of Youth Competition Dance," 21 Dec. 2017
Within a few years, players from other Bay Area teams, local sports announcers and journalists got on their tiptoes and joined the fun.

— bill van niekerken, San Francisco Chronicle, "When the Oakland A’s of the Bash Brothers era performed with the ballet," 19 Dec. 2017
The collective psyche of the Big Orange is already so fragile that embattled coach Butch Jones has to walk on tiptoes.

— david caraviello, ajc, "South Carolina’s path to progress? Make things even worse for Arkansas and Tennessee than they are now," 2 Oct. 2017
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
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

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

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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

In between, owners and other team executives tiptoed around the subject of Richardson.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "NFL meetings got weird despite, and because of, absence of Panthers’ Jerry Richardson | Charlotte Observer," 28 Mar. 2018
News crews can no longer observe or film the rituals of Muslim prayer in the cell block, a time when the captives lay out their rugs, unaware that on the other side of one-way glass troops are tiptoeing in their combat boots to keep quiet.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Are You Paying Attention to Guantanamo Yet?," 13 Feb. 2018
Don’t start planning your big day together, but don't tiptoe around it either.

— anthea levi, Health.com, "4 Topics You Should Always Bring Up in a New Relationship," 15 Mar. 2018
Children are trying to do what adults would not, and corporate America — the free market at work, as God and Adam Smith intended — is also going where elected officials fear to tiptoe.

— the kansas city star editorial board, kansascity, "After Florida school shooting, Missouri lawmakers want to make gun laws even worse | The Kansas City Star," 4 Mar. 2018
Plus, tiptoeing around this trait of hers, and your discomfort with it, is the road to relationship hell.

— carolyn hax, idahostatesman, "Girlfriend is blunt, even insensitive | Idaho Statesman," 16 Feb. 2018
News crews can no longer observe or film the rituals of Muslim prayer in the cell block, a time when the captives lay out their rugs, unaware that on the other side of one-way glass troops are tiptoeing in their combat boots to keep quiet.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Are You Paying Attention to Guantanamo Yet?," 13 Feb. 2018
But not nominating Franco also saves the Oscars from having to tiptoe around his presence on the big night and at pre-awards events.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "The Oscars are better off without a James Franco nomination. Here's why," 23 Jan. 2018
Mount Notre Dame, the defending Division I state champion, showcased its talent for tiptoeing straight through adversity Thursday night in a 52-37 win over Girls Greater Catholic League rival McAuley.

— adam baum, Cincinnati.com, "Mount Notre Dame rallies to beat GGCL rival McAuley," 4 Jan. 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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Recent Examples of tiptoe from the Web

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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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Definition of tiptoe for Students

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