tiptoe

1 of 4

noun

tip·​toe ˈtip-ˌtō How to pronounce tiptoe (audio)
-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
Phrases
on tiptoe
: alert, aroused
the contest of skill that puts one on tiptoe to winDeerfield (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
In essence, from creating history at trials to claiming medals in Paris, Ryan Murphy continues to keep the fans on tiptoes every Olympic year. Paras J. Haji, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 For 20 years, Ukraine has done little more than tiptoe toward Europe and a liberal economic model. Keith Darden, Foreign Affairs, 3 Mar. 2014
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 See all Example Sentences for tiptoe 

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tiptoe was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tiptoe

Cite this Entry

“Tiptoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tiptoe. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

tiptoe

1 of 3 noun
tip·​toe ˈtip-ˌtō How to pronounce tiptoe (audio)
-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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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