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

The Texans need explosive plays without Jaylin Noel, who suffered a turf toe injury and is out for the season. — Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 8 Nov. 2026

Running back Kyle Monangai on Friday was back at practice for the first time since suffering a thumb and turf toe injury in Week 4. — Jori Parys, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

But Huntley suffered a turf toe injury in the same Bills matchup, knocking him out for the remainder of the season. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Week 1 does not a season make, and a sparkling debut doesn’t always lead to a crown (looking at you, 2025 Joe Burrow and the royal scourge that is turf toe). — Hannah Vanbiber, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

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
• beaut
• beaux
• blow
• 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