toe

American  

[toh] / toʊ /

noun

1. one of the terminal digits of the human foot.

2. an analogous part in certain animals.

3. the forepart of the foot or hoof of a horse or the like.

4. the forepart of anything worn on the foot, as of a shoe or stocking.

5. a part resembling a toe in shape or position.

6. Railroads. the end of a frog in front of the point and in the direction of the switch.

7. Machinery.

   1. a journal or part placed vertically in a bearing, as the lower end of a vertical shaft.

   2. a curved partial cam lifting the flat surface of a follower and letting it drop; wiper.

8. Golf. the outer end of the head of a club.

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verb (used with object)

toed, toeing

1. to furnish with a toe or toes.

2. to touch or reach with the toes.

   The pitcher toed the mound, wound up, and threw a fastball.

3. to kick with the toe.

4. Golf. to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club.

5. Carpentry.

   1. to drive (a nail) obliquely.

   2. to toenail.

verb (used without object)

toed, toeing

1. to stand, walk, etc., with the toes in a specified position.

   to toe in.

2. to tap with the toe, as in dancing.

idioms

1. on one's toes, energetic; alert; ready.

   The spirited competition kept them on their toes.

2. step / tread on someone's toes, to offend (a person); encroach on the territory or sphere of responsibility of (another).

   The new employee stepped on a lot of toes when he suggested reorganizing the office.

3. toe the line. line.

toe British  

/ təʊ /

noun

1. any one of the digits of the foot

2. the corresponding part in other vertebrates

3. the part of a shoe, sock, etc, covering the toes

4. anything resembling a toe in shape or position

5. the front part of the head of a golf club, hockey stick, etc

6. the lower bearing of a vertical shaft assembly

7. the tip of a cam follower that engages the cam profile

8. informal to begin doing or try something new or unfamiliar

9. alert

10. to offend or insult a person, esp by trespassing on his or her field of responsibility

11. informal to die

12. slang speed

    a player with plenty of toe

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verb

1. (tr) to touch, kick, or mark with the toe

2. (tr) golf to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club

3. (tr) to drive (a nail, spike, etc) obliquely

4. (intr) to walk with the toes pointing in a specified direction

   to toe inwards

5. to conform to expected standards, attitudes, etc

toe More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing toe

• dip one's toes into
• from head to toe
• on one's toes
• step on someone's toes
• turn up one's toes

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Other Word Forms

• toeless adjective
• toelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of toe

before 900; Middle English; Old English tā; cognate with Dutch teen, German Zehe, Old Norse tā

Example Sentences

Djokovic is not afraid to go toe to toe with hostile fans, using their jibes to fuel his relentless quest for glory and showing the depth of his competitiveness.

From Barron's

Harris-Genois said he took inspiration from a lion when creating Demogorgon's threatening posture -- toes perched, ready to pounce.

From Barron's

One squirrel darted to crouch on the toe of Christopher’s shoe.

From Literature

"While some within the state may think that punishing outlets that refuse to toe the line may snuff out critical voices, in the modern age this is next to impossible," the editorial board said.

From BBC

Quadriplegic and confined to a medicalised portable cabin in the Chinese countryside, 36-year-old Li Xia can only move one finger and one toe, which he uses to manage a high-tech farm.

From Barron's