toe

[toh]

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.

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.

toe

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

• toeless adjective
• toelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of toe¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of toe¹

Old English tā; related to Old Frisian tāne, Old Norse tā, Old High German zēha, Latin digitus finger

Idioms and Phrases

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.

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

Example Sentences

Ross accused Green and SNP MSPs of "toeing the party line" instead of backing a bill that could save lives.

Read more on BBC

He used to have a roommate named Bonnie, until the two had an altercation that ended in her biting off one of his toes.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Parton also encouraged her followers to be on their toes regarding “rumors” about her health and AI photos — including one alleged snap she says depicts fellow country star Reba McEntire at her death bed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Wearing white hazmat suits that cover them from head to toe, gloves, respirator masks and goggles, a group of workers enters the residence.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Journeyman Mac Jones started in place of Purdy, who is nursing a toe injury.

Read more on Los Angeles Times