tip
1a slender or pointed end or extremity, especially of anything long or tapered: the tips of the fingers.
the top, summit, or apex: the tip of the mountain.
a small piece or part, as of metal or leather, forming or covering the extremity of something: a cane with a rubber tip.
Also called tip-in [tip-in], /ˈtɪpˌɪn/, tip-on [tip-on, -awn] /ˈtɪpˌɒn, -ˌɔn/ . an insert, as an illustration, map, or errata slip, pasted to a page of a book, magazine, etc., usually along the binding margin.
a small, delicate tool made of fine hair cemented between two cards, for applying gold leaf.
to furnish with a tip.
to serve as or form the tip of.
to mark or adorn the tip of.
to remove the tip or stem of (berries or certain fruits or vegetables).
to frost the ends of (hair strands): I'm having my hair cut and tipped tomorrow.
tip in, Bookbinding. to paste the inner margin of (a map, illustration, or other plate) into a signature before gathering.
Origin of tip
1Other words from tip
- tipless, adjective
Other definitions for tip (2 of 4)
to overturn, upset, or overthrow (often followed by over).
to remove or lift (one's hat or cap) in salutation.
British. to empty out (contents) from a container by tilting; dump: The dustmen tipped the rubbish on the municipal dump.Tip the batter into a rectangular baking dish.
to assume a slanting or sloping position; incline.
to tilt up at one end and down at the other; slant.
to be overturned or upset: The car tipped into the ditch.
to tumble or topple (usually followed by over): The lamp on the table tipped over.
the act of tipping.
the state of being tipped.
British.
a dump for refuse, as that from a mine.
Informal. an untidy place, especially a room: They must have packed and left in a rush, because the place is an absolute tip.
Origin of tip
2Other words from tip
- tip·pa·ble, adjective
- un·tip·pa·ble, adjective
Other definitions for tip (3 of 4)
a small present of money given directly to someone for performing a service or menial task; gratuity: He gave the waiter a dollar as a tip.
a piece of private or secret information, as for use in betting, speculating, or writing a news story: a tip from a bookie.
a useful hint or idea; a basic, practical fact: tips on painting.
to give a gratuity to.
to give a gratuity: She tipped lavishly.
tip off, Informal.
to supply with private or secret information; inform.
to warn of impending danger or trouble; caution beforehand: The moonshiners had been tipped off that they were about to be raided.
Origin of tip
3Other words for tip
Other words from tip
- tipless, adjective
- tip·pa·ble, adjective
Other definitions for tip (4 of 4)
to strike or hit with a light, smart blow; tap.
Baseball. to strike (the ball) with a glancing blow.
Origin of tip
4Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use tip in a sentence
To encourage church attendance at Sunday morning services, Dr. Jenks established a tipless barber shop.
The Patient Observer | Simeon Strunsky
British Dictionary definitions for tip (1 of 4)
/ (tɪp) /
the extreme end of something, esp a narrow or pointed end
the top or summit
a small piece forming an extremity or end: a metal tip on a cane
to adorn or mark the tip of
to cause to form a tip
Origin of tip
1Derived forms of tip
- tipless, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for tip (2 of 4)
/ (tɪp) /
to tilt or cause to tilt
(usually foll by over or up) to tilt or cause to tilt, so as to overturn or fall
British to dump (rubbish, etc)
tip one's hat to take off, raise, or touch one's hat in salutation
the act of tipping or the state of being tipped
British a dump for refuse, etc
Origin of tip
2Derived forms of tip
- tippable, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for tip (3 of 4)
/ (tɪp) /
a payment given for services in excess of the standard charge; gratuity
a helpful hint, warning, or other piece of information
a piece of inside information, esp in betting or investing
to give a tip to (a person)
Origin of tip
3British Dictionary definitions for tip (4 of 4)
/ (tɪp) /
to hit or strike lightly
to hit (a ball) indirectly so that it glances off the bat in cricket
a light blow
a glancing hit in cricket
Origin of tip
4Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with tip
In addition to the idioms beginning with tip
- tip off
- tip of the iceberg
- tip one's hand
- tip the balance
also see:
- from head (tip) to toe
- on the tip of one's tongue
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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