tiptoe
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈtɪp.toʊ/
KK: /ˈtɪpˌtoʊ/
adjective
Definition
Moving quietly and carefully on the tips of the toes to avoid making noise.
Example
She walked on tiptoe to avoid waking the baby.
Conversation
I heard you had to be really tiptoe when sneaking into the kitchen last night.
Yeah, I didn't want to wake anyone up while getting a snack.
I always have to tiptoe around when my parents are sleeping, too.
It's like a stealth mission every time!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
quiet
sneaky
cautious
Antonyms
loud
careless
obvious
adverb
Definition
In a way that involves walking quietly and carefully on the tips of the toes, often to avoid making noise or to be stealthy.
Example
She tiptoed past the sleeping dog to avoid waking it up.
Conversation
Did you see how the cat was trying to tiptoe across the floor?
Yeah, it was so funny! Cats are so sneaky.
I wonder why it always tries to tiptoe when it knows we're watching.
noun
Definition
The end part of a toe, especially when someone is standing on their toes with their heels raised.
Example
She walked quietly on her tiptoes to avoid waking the baby.
Conversation
I saw a little kid tiptoe around the playground today.
That's adorable! Kids can be so funny when they try to be quiet.
Yeah, it’s like they think no one can see them when they tiptoe.
verb
Definition
To walk quietly and carefully on the tips of your toes, often to avoid making noise or to be sneaky.
Example
She tiptoed past the sleeping dog to avoid waking it up.
Tense Forms
Past: tiptoed
Past Participle: tiptoed
Conversation
I had to tiptoe around the sleeping dog in the living room.
That sounds tricky! Dogs can be so unpredictable when they're asleep.
I know, right? I didn't want to wake him up.
Root Explanation
Tiptoe → The word is formed from "tip" (from Middle English *tippe*, meaning the end or point of something) and "toe" (from Old English *tōa*, meaning a digit of the foot). Together, "tiptoe" refers to the act of walking on the tips of one's toes, typically to be quiet or to reach something higher.
Memory Tip
Imagine walking on the 'end' ('tip') of your 'foot' ('toe') to be quiet or to reach something up high — that's what tiptoe means.
Visually Confused Words
triptote
tite
tipe