Tiptoe - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Tiptoe means to walk quietly or carefully on the balls of your feet, lifting your heels to avoid making noise. It is often used when trying not to be heard or noticed.
Definition:
Walk quietly on the balls of the feet to avoid making noise.
Synonyms:
creep, sneak, steal, pad
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
stomp, march
Common Collocations:
tiptoe around, tiptoe past, tiptoe quietly
Derivatives:
tiptoed, tiptoeing
Usage Tips:
Use "tiptoe" to describe walking silently or cautiously, often to avoid detection or disturbance.
Common Phrases:
on tiptoe, tiptoe through the tulips
Etymology:
Derived from "tip" (end) + "toe," first recorded in the 16th century for quiet walking.
Examples:
- 1. She tiptoed past the sleeping baby.
- 2. He stood on tiptoe to reach the top shelf.
- 3. They tiptoed through the dark hallway.
- 4. The cat tiptoed toward the bird silently.