adj

tippy

TIH-pee

Tippy (adj) means Unstable and likely to tip over. Example: “The canoe felt tippy the moment we both leaned to one side.”

adj

Unstable and likely to tip over.

"The canoe felt tippy the moment we both leaned to one side."

How to use tippy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWobbly and easily knocked off balance.

When to use it

Fairly informal; used mostly of small boats, chairs, or other objects that rock easily.

tippier comparative, tippier comparative, tippies plural, tippiest superlative, tippiest superlative

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The canoe felt _____ the moment we both leaned to one side.

From tip ("apex") plus a diminutive -y ending, dating to around 1790.

· First attested 1790

Class of 1790 tippy joined the language around 1790.

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See the full Class of 1790 →

hippy nippy zippy lippy dippy sippy pippy drippy chippy Skippy trippy snippy

What does “tippy” mean?

The word “tippy” means unstable and likely to tip over. In plain terms, wobbly and easily knocked off balance.

How do you pronounce “tippy”?

“Tippy” is pronounced TIH-pee (/ˈtɪpi/ in IPA).

How do you use “tippy” in a sentence?

Here is “tippy” used in a sentence: “The canoe felt tippy the moment we both leaned to one side.”

What part of speech is “tippy”?

“Tippy” is an adjective.

Where does the word “tippy” come from?

The word “tippy” dates back to around 1790. From tip ("apex") plus a diminutive -y ending, dating to around 1790.