tiptoe

1 of 4

noun

tip·​toe ˈtip-ˌtō 

-ˈtō

: the position of being balanced on the balls of the feet and toes with the heels raised

—usually used with on

also : the ends of the toes

tiptoe

2 of 4

verb

tiptoed; tiptoeing

intransitive verb

1

: to walk or proceed quietly or cautiously on or as if on tiptoe

tiptoe around the issue

2

: to stand or raise oneself on tiptoe

tiptoe

3 of 4

adverb

: on or as if on tiptoe

tiptoe

4 of 4

adjective

1

: standing or walking on or as if on tiptoe

2

: cautious, stealthy

Phrases

on tiptoe

: alert, aroused

the contest of skill that puts one on tiptoe to win

—Deerfield (Wisc.) Independent

Examples of tiptoe in a Sentence

Verb

She tiptoed through the puddle.

He tiptoed quietly around the house to avoid waking the children.

Adverb

She had to stand tiptoe to reach the shelf.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For those who want to be close enough to practically feel the wind off the cars, even some of the most expensive tickets can’t match areas like the sidewalk near the Treasure Island hotel’s valet — where a couple of dozen people gathered to crane their necks and stand on their tiptoes. —Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024

Eight, allergic to dust, asthmatic, stigmatic with mystery rashes, balanced tiptoe on a stack of peat briquettes wound in butcher’s twine, fingers smutty from Suttons Premium Polish Coal. —Dean Browne, The New York Review of Books, 27 May 2021

Verb

Less successful is how this season tiptoes into manipulation, over-relying a bit on montage sequences and musical cues to ensure our emotions follow the creators’ intent. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2024

Core bond funds Investors looking to tiptoe out of cash and collect solid yields may want to consider core bond funds. —Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1661, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adverb

1592, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tiptoe

• tiptoe around

Kids Definition

tiptoe

1 of 3 noun

tip·​toe ˈtip-ˌtō 

-ˈtō

1

: the tip of a toe

2

: the ends of the toes

tiptoe

2 of 3 adverb or adjective

: on or as if on tiptoe

tiptoe

3 of 3 verb

tiptoed; tiptoeing

: to walk on tiptoe