tiptoe

American  

[tip-toh] / ˈtɪpˌtoʊ /

noun

1. the tip or end of a toe.

---

verb (used without object)

tiptoed, tiptoeing

1. to move or go on tiptoe, as with caution or stealth.

   She tiptoed out of the room.

adjective

1. characterized by standing or walking on tiptoe.

2. straining upward.

3. eagerly expectant.

4. cautious; stealthy.

adverb

1. eagerly or cautiously; on tiptoe.

idioms

1. on tiptoe,

   1. on the tips of one's toes.

   2. expectant; eager.

      With Christmas coming, the children were on tiptoe.

   3. stealthily; cautiously.

      The concert had already begun, so he entered the back of the hall on tiptoe.

tiptoe British  

/ ˈtɪpˌtəʊ /

verb

1. to walk with the heels off the ground and the weight supported by the ball of the foot and the toes

2. to walk silently or stealthily

---

noun

1. 1. on the tips of the toes or on the ball of the foot and the toes

   2. eagerly anticipating something

   3. stealthily or silently

adverb

1. on tiptoe

adjective

1. walking or standing on tiptoe

2. stealthy or silent

tiptoe More Idioms  

1. see on tiptoe.

---

Etymology

Origin of tiptoe

1350–1400; Middle English tiptoon (plural noun). See tip ¹, toe

Example Sentences

They leaned their bikes against the bike rack and tiptoed into the library.

From Literature

Goldman board members and partners had grown accustomed to tiptoeing around the topic of Ruemmler and Epstein in front of Solomon, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite their complaints, the twins are now transfixed by the ice cutters singing on the TV, so I tiptoe upstairs.

From Literature

So I crept the rest of the way in, closed the door so quietly behind me, and tiptoed over to the stairs.

From Literature

He stood on tiptoes, reached the earrings, and added them.

From Literature

Related Words

• creep
• pussyfoot
• sneak
• steal