tip-off

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈtip-ˌȯf 

1

: warning, tip

2

: a telltale sign

tip-off

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the act or an instance of putting the ball in play in basketball by a jump ball

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• caution
• red flag
• red light
• tocsin
• wake-up call
• warning

Examples of tip-off in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the retreat of the island's wildlife to higher ground was a tip-off that a tsunami was about to strike

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Apart from day-to-day moments, Green and Olive have spent time collaborating with each other for fun projects, like a 2023 commercial to mark the tip-off of the NBA season in partnership with KIA. —Nasha Smith, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024

Getting a tip-off as to when and where a Type Ia supernova is about to blow via a millinova would help understand these events better. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024

Fans and stakeholders alike can eagerly await the tip-off in April, knowing that the foundation for success is being laid in Rabat this January. —Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

The quarterfinal contest will be televised nationally on TNT as well locally on FanDuel Sports Network and tip-off is set for 7. —Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

tip entry 8

Noun (2)

tip entry 5

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1922, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tip-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈtip-ˌȯf

1

: a warning that something is going to happen

2

: a telltale sign

tip-off

2 of 2 noun

: the start of a basketball game when the ball is thrown in the air and a player from each team jumps up and tries to get the ball