tiptoe

American  

[tip-toh] / ˈtɪpˌtoʊ /

noun

1. the tip or end of a toe.

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of tiptoe

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

Example Sentences

A few days into the first leg, Mr. Tesson’s party gingerly navigated a ridge at risk of avalanche, “tiptoeing over Fabergé eggshells.”

From The Wall Street Journal

That first morning, with coffee in hand, I tiptoed into the lounge, sank into an armchair and watched the desert sprawl while wispy clouds clung to the horizon under a brightening sky.

From Los Angeles Times

We didn’t say “shame” out loud, but we tiptoed around it.

From The Wall Street Journal

If I felt like everyone was tiptoeing around me, I’d probably try to destroy them in video games too.

From Literature

Once she could have sworn she saw figures standing on tiptoe on the glittering surface of the water.

From Literature

Related Words

• creep
• pussyfoot
• sneak
• steal