verb
tiptoe
TIHP-toh
verb
1
To walk quietly on the balls of the feet, without letting the heels touch the ground.
"She tiptoed past the sleeping baby."
"He tiptoed downstairs so as not to wake anyone."
noun
1
Used in the phrase "on tiptoe(s)," meaning standing or moving on the balls of the feet.
"He stood on tiptoe to reach the top shelf."
How to Use Tiptoe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move quietly and carefully by walking on the balls of your feet.
Common pairings
tiptoe around
stand on tiptoe
tiptoe past
Word Forms
tiptoed past tense, tiptoes plural, tiptoes singular
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She _____ past the sleeping baby.
Etymology
From Middle English tipto, formed from tip plus toe.