Word
tiptoe
Phoneticstip·toe, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɪpˌtoʊ/
UK/tˈɪptəʊ/
Definition
v. to walk very quietly on the front part of your feet, so you do not make noise or wake someone.
v. to walk or move quietly on the balls of the feet with the heels raised, typically to avoid making noise or being noticed.
Examples
“She tiptoes past the sleeping baby every night.”
“He tiptoes down the hallway early each morning so he does not wake his roommates.”
“She tiptoed across the old wooden floor, pausing with each creak to listen for any sound from the nursery upstairs.”
Examples
simple
“She tiptoes past the sleeping baby every night.”
contextual
“He tiptoes down the hallway early each morning so he does not wake his roommates.”
complex
“She tiptoed across the old wooden floor, pausing with each creak to listen for any sound from the nursery upstairs.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “tiptoe” in context.
Verb
01. tiptoe around
“They tiptoed around the house while the guests were asleep.”
verb + prep
02. tiptoe into
“He tiptoed into the nursery to check on the baby.”
verb + prep
03. tiptoe out
“She tiptoed out of the bedroom without turning on the light.”
verb + particle
04. tiptoe past
“I tiptoed past the living room where my dad was sleeping.”
verb + prep
Adjective
05. tiptoe carefully
“He tiptoed carefully across the wooden floor so it would not creak.”
verb + adv
06. tiptoe quietly
“She tiptoed quietly into the kitchen to get some water.”
verb + adv
Noun
07. tiptoe downstairs
“He tiptoed downstairs early to make breakfast in silence.”
verb + adv
08. tiptoe around the house
“The children tiptoed around the house during their game.”
09. tiptoe back to bed
“After getting some water, she tiptoed back to bed.”
10. tiptoe out without waking
“He tiptoed out without waking his roommate.”
11. tiptoe past the door
“We tiptoed past the door so we would not disturb the meeting.”
12. tiptoe quietly into the room
“She tiptoed quietly into the room to leave the gift on the table.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and takes no direct object; often followed by a direction phrase with 'into', 'past', 'across' or 'around'.
Real-World Examples
“Throughout the 1970s, in his tiny Kiev apartment, my grandfather would wait until his extended family was asleep, tiptoe to the kitchen, quietly switch on the transistor Spidola radio, and gently push the dial to shortwave.” Etymology
From Middle English tipto, typto; equivalent to tip + toe. Compare fingertip.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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