turf toe

noun

: a minor but painful usually sports-related injury typically involving hyperextension of the big toe that results in spraining or tearing of the ligaments at the joint between the metatarsal and basal phalanx

Examples of turf toe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In October, Burrow topped headlines for his shaggy hairstyle when spotted at a game for the first time since suffering a turf toe injury in Week 2. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026

Plenty of that is a byproduct of Burrow’s injuries, including turf toe this year that kept him sidelined for eight games. —Zak Keefer, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026

Stevenson continued to round into form coming off a turf toe injury. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025

Brock Purdy does it all The 49ers came into Sunday winners of five straight games since Purdy returned as the starter after dealing with turf toe. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from the occurrence of the injury among athletes who play on artificial turf

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for turf toe

• beau
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Medical Definition

turf toe

noun

ˈtərf- 

: a minor but painful usually sports-related injury involving hyperextension of the big toe that results in spraining or tearing of the ligament of the metatarsophalangeal joint