noun

tip

tihp

noun

The pointed or outer end of something.

"She sharpened the tip of her pencil."

"The tip of the iceberg was all they could see."

A small amount of money given to a service worker, such as a waiter or driver, as thanks for good service.

"We left a generous tip for the waitress."

A small piece of useful or private advice or information.

"She gave me a great tip for cutting travel costs."

"He got a tip from a friend about the job opening before it was advertised."

verb

To tilt or knock something so it falls or leans over.

"He accidentally tipped his coffee onto the keyboard."

"The canoe tipped over in the rapids."

To give someone a small amount of money as thanks for a service.

"Don't forget to tip the delivery driver."

How to Use Tip

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCan mean the pointed end of something, to tilt over, money left for service, or a useful piece of advice — context makes clear which.

Common pairings

tip of the tongue leave a tip a helpful tip tip over

Word Forms

tipped past tense, tipped past tense, tipped past tense, tipped past tense, tipped past tense, tips plural, tips plural, tips plural, tips plural, tips plural, tips plural, tips singular, tips singular, tips singular, tips singular, tips singular

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She sharpened the _____ of her pencil.

Etymology

From Middle English tip/typ, from a Proto-Germanic word for a small pointed end.

Synonyms

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gratuity hint

Related Words

omen hint

Rhymes for tip

fingertip

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