tip
tihp
Tip (noun) means the pointed or outer end of something. Example: “She sharpened the tip of her pencil.”
noun
1
The pointed or outer end of something.
"She sharpened the tip of her pencil."
"The tip of the iceberg was all they could see."
"Snow covered the tip of the mountain all through the winter."
2
A small amount of money given to a service worker, such as a waiter or driver, as thanks for good service.
"We left a generous tip for the waitress."
"Is the service charge included, or should I leave a tip?"
"The taxi driver was delighted with the tip we gave him."
3
A small piece of useful or private advice or information.
"She gave me a great tip for cutting travel costs."
"He got a tip from a friend about the job opening before it was advertised."
"My uncle gave me a useful tip about growing tomatoes."
verb
1
To tilt or knock something so it falls or leans over.
"He accidentally tipped his coffee onto the keyboard."
"The canoe tipped over in the rapids."
"Be careful not to tip the table, or the glasses will slide off."
2
To give someone a small amount of money as thanks for a service.
"Don't forget to tip the delivery driver."
"In some countries people rarely tip in restaurants."
"We always tip the porter who carries our bags upstairs."
How to use tip
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan mean the pointed end of something, to tilt over, money left for service, or a useful piece of advice — context makes clear which.
Common pairings
tip of the tongue
leave a tip
a helpful tip
tip over
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Word forms
- Plural
- tips
- Third person singular
- tips
- Past tense
- tipped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She sharpened the _____ of her pencil.
Etymology
From Middle English tip/typ, from a Proto-Germanic word for a small pointed end.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “tip” mean?
The word “tip” means the pointed or outer end of something. In plain terms, can mean the pointed end of something, to tilt over, money left for service, or a useful piece of advice — context makes clear which.
How do you pronounce “tip”?
“Tip” is pronounced tihp (/tɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “tip” in a sentence?
Here is “tip” used in a sentence: “She sharpened the tip of her pencil.”
What is another word for “tip”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tip” include gratuity and hint.
What part of speech is “tip”?
Depending on how it is used, “tip” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tip” come from?
The word “tip” comes from Middle English. From Middle English tip/typ, from a Proto-Germanic word for a small pointed end.
Is “tip” a common word?
“Tip” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “tip” have?
“Tip” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the pointed or outer end of something.
What is an example of the tip of something?
The tip is the very end or outermost point of an object. Familiar examples include the tip of your finger, the tip of a pen, the tip of an iceberg, the tip of a knife, and the tip of your nose. It usually refers to the narrowest or furthest-reaching part.
What is the difference between the tip and the point of something?
They overlap, but a 'point' is specifically a sharp, tapering end, while a 'tip' is simply the extreme end, whether sharp or not. A pencil has both a point and a tip, yet the rounded tip of a finger has no point. Every point is a tip, but not every tip is a point.
Does tip only mean the end of something?
No. This entry covers the 'outer end' sense, as in the tip of a wing. 'Tip' has other, unrelated meanings too: a small gift of money for good service, a piece of helpful advice, or the act of tilting something over. The surrounding sentence makes clear which meaning is intended.
What is the opposite of the tip of something?
For a long or tapering object, the opposite of the tip is usually the 'base,' 'root,' or 'butt' — the wider, fixed end. The tip of a leaf contrasts with its base, and the tip of a sword contrasts with its hilt or handle. The tip is the far end; the base is the anchored one.
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