tiptoe
TIHP-toh
Tiptoe (verb) means to walk quietly on the balls of the feet, without letting the heels touch the ground. Example: “She tiptoed past the sleeping baby.”
verb
1
To walk quietly on the balls of the feet, without letting the heels touch the ground.
"She tiptoed past the sleeping baby."
"He tiptoed downstairs so as not to wake anyone."
noun
1
Used in the phrase "on tiptoe(s)," meaning standing or moving on the balls of the feet.
"He stood on tiptoe to reach the top shelf."
How to use tiptoe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move quietly and carefully by walking on the balls of your feet.
Common pairings
tiptoe around
stand on tiptoe
tiptoe past
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Word forms
- Plural
- tiptoes
- Third person singular
- tiptoes
- Past tense
- tiptoed
Fill the gap
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She _____ past the sleeping baby.
Etymology
From Middle English tipto, formed from tip plus toe.
Synonyms
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tip
tippytoe
Related words
Rhymes for tiptoe
See all rhymes for tiptoe →Frequently asked questions
What does “tiptoe” mean?
The word “tiptoe” means to walk quietly on the balls of the feet, without letting the heels touch the ground. In plain terms, to move quietly and carefully by walking on the balls of your feet.
How do you pronounce “tiptoe”?
“Tiptoe” is pronounced TIHP-toh (/ˈtɪpˌtoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tiptoe” in a sentence?
Here is “tiptoe” used in a sentence: “She tiptoed past the sleeping baby.”
What part of speech is “tiptoe”?
Depending on how it is used, “tiptoe” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tiptoe” come from?
The word “tiptoe” comes from Middle English. From Middle English tipto, formed from tip plus toe.
How many meanings does “tiptoe” have?
“Tiptoe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to walk quietly on the balls of the feet, without letting the heels touch the ground.
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