What does tiptoe mean?
Definitions for tiptoe
ˈtɪpˌtoʊtip·toe
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word tiptoe.
Princeton's WordNet
tiptoeadjective
the tip of a toe
tiptoeverb
walking on the tips of ones's toes so as to make no noise
"moving with tiptoe steps"
tiptoe, tip, tippytoeadverb
walk on one's toes
tiptoeadverb
on tiptoe or as if on tiptoe
"standing tiptoe"
Wiktionary
tiptoenoun
The tips of one's toes collectively.
tiptoeverb
To walk quietly when only the tips of the toes touch the ground.
tiptoeverb
Alternative spelling of tip-toe.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Tiptoenoun
The end of the toe.
Etymology: tip and toe.
Where the fond ape himself uprearing high,
Upon his tiptoes stalketh stately by. Edmund Spenser, Hubberd’s Tale.He that outlives this day and comes safe home,
Will stand a tiptoe when this day is nam’d,
And rouze him at the name of Crispian. William Shakespeare.Night’s candles are burnt out, and jocund day
Stands tiptoe on the misty mountains tops. William Shakespeare.Religion stands on tiptoe in our land,
Ready to pass to the American strand. George Herbert.Ten ruddy wildings in the wood I found,
And stood on tiptoes from the ground. Dryden.
Wikipedia
Tiptoe
Tiptoe (tiptoes or tippy toes) describes the human body posture and locomotion of removing the heel(s) of one or both feet from the ground. The term is mostly used colloquially when the weight is placed on the balls of the feet rather than literally on the tips of the toes; literal tip-toeing is difficult but possible, as in the pointe technique of ballet. In running, landing on the ball of the foot is known as forefoot strike.
ChatGPT
tiptoe
To tiptoe is to walk quietly and carefully with one's heels raised and one's weight on the balls of the feet, especially in order not to disturb someone or to move stealthily. It can also be used metaphorically to describe proceeding with caution or discretion.
Webster Dictionary
Tiptoenoun
the end, or tip, of the toe
Tiptoeadjective
being on tiptoe, or as on tiptoe; hence, raised as high as possible; lifted up; exalted; also, alert
Tiptoeadjective
noiseless; stealthy
Tiptoeverb
to step or walk on tiptoe
Wikidata
Tiptoe
Tiptoe describes the human body posture and locomotion of removing the heel of one or both feet from the ground. It is quite often used as a slang when the weight is placed on the balls of the feet, rather than literally the tips of the toes, although it could still be used in that case.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Tiptoe
tip′tō, n. the end of the toe.—adv. on tiptoe, literally or figuratively, through excitement, expectation, &c.—v.i. to walk on tiptoe, to go lightly and slyly.
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of tiptoe in Chaldean Numerology is: 2
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of tiptoe in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4
Examples of tiptoe in a Sentence
There is definitely widespread recognition that Trumps behavior is getting worse, it seems hes acting more erratic more often. We cant tiptoe around it anymore. Weve got to talk about this.
Now kids sometimes, you don’t want to offend them, so you tiptoe.
If even dying is to be made a social function, then, grant me the favor of sneaking out on tiptoe without disturbing the party.
We don't have to tiptoe anymore, we don't have to hedge our bets.
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References
Translations for tiptoe
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
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"tiptoe." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 12 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/tiptoe>.
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