# toe

/ˈtoʊ/ (US) · /tˈəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/toe
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. part of the foot

noun · CEFR A2

one of the five separate parts at the end of your foot.

For teachers: any of the five terminal digits of the human foot.

- He accidentally stubbed his big toe on the corner of the wooden bed.
- The patient suffered a minor fracture in the proximal phalanx of the fifth toe after a heavy object fell on his foot.

### 2. part of a shoe

noun · CEFR B1

the front part of a shoe or sock that covers your toes.

For teachers: the portion of a footwear item or hosiery that encloses the toes.

- These boots are too tight in the toe, so I need a larger size.
- The steel-capped toe of the safety boot is designed to withstand significant impact in industrial environments.

### 3. wheel alignment

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the angle of a car's wheels when seen from above.

For teachers: the inward or outward angle of the wheels of a vehicle relative to its longitudinal axis.

- The mechanic adjusted the toe of the front wheels to stop the car from pulling to the left.
- Excessive toe-in can lead to premature tyre wear and reduced fuel efficiency due to increased rolling resistance.

### 5. to touch with the foot

verb · CEFR B2

to touch, kick, or reach something using your toes.

For teachers: to touch, tap, or propel an object using the toes; often used in sports or construction contexts.

- She managed to toe the ball away just before the other player reached it.
- The carpenter had to toe the nails into the joist at an angle to ensure a secure connection between the timber frames.

## Examples

- I accidentally stubbed my toe on the corner of the table.
- She dipped her toe into the swimming pool to check if the water was warm enough.
- The athlete suffered a fracture in his big toe, which significantly hindered his ability to maintain balance and generate power during the sprint.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.