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

Explanation

Your toes are to your feet what your fingers are to your hands. They're the five digits you have on each foot. Tetrapod, or four-limbed animals, have toes on their feet. The way those toes are used distinguishes these animals from each other. Some, like dogs, are digitigrade, walking on their toes. Humans are plantigrade, meaning we walk with our toes flat against the ground, our weight on the soles of our feet. You can also use toe to mean the front of your shoe, or as a verb meaning "to touch with one's foot."

Example Sentences

All are clad from head to toe in hazard suits with facemasks and goggles, to guard against a disease spread through close physical contact and bodily fluids.

From Barron's • May 24, 2026

He was scheduled to return against American Michael Chandler in 2024 but pulled out just over two weeks prior to the bout after breaking his toe.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

In 2024 she dipped her toe into the effort to refresh another mall staple: Athleta, the Gap-owned sportswear company, where she held the role of chief digital officer for a year.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

It’s awesome because they rub you from head to toe with body oil, then they wash your hair and give you a cucumber and yogurt mask.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

That night in our room, Farmer smashed his toe into a suitcase in the dark.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French