tiptoe

UK: /ˈtɪptəʊ/ US: /ˈtɪpˌtoʊ/ ,(tip′tō′)

Inflections of 'tiptoe' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

tiptoes

v 3rd person singular

tiptoeing

v pres p

tiptoed

v past

tiptoed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tip•toe /ˈtɪpˌtoʊ/   n., v., -toed, -toe•ing. 
n. 

1. the tip or end of a toe:
   [countable] She stood on her tiptoes.
   [uncountable] She walked in on tiptoe.

v. [no object]

2. to go on tiptoe, so as to be secret or quiet or to remain unnoticed:
   tiptoed into the room while he was sleeping.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tip•toe  (tip′tō′), n., v., -toed, -toe•ing, adj., adv. 
n. 

1. the tip or end of a toe.
2. on tiptoe:
   • on the tips of one's toes.
   • expectant;
     eager:
     With Christmas coming, the children were on tiptoe.
   • stealthily;
     cautiously:
     The concert had already begun, so he entered the back of the hall on tiptoe.

v.i. 

3. to move or go on tiptoe, as with caution or stealth:
   She tiptoed out of the room.

adj. 

4. characterized by standing or walking on tiptoe.
5. straining upward.
6. eagerly expectant.
7. cautious;
   stealthy.

adv. 

8. eagerly or cautiously;
   on tiptoe.

• Middle English tiptoon (plural noun, nominal). See tip¹, toe 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tiptoe / ˈtɪpˌtəʊ/ verb ( -toes, -toeing, -toed)(intransitive)

1. to walk with the heels off the ground and the weight supported by the ball of the foot and the toes
2. to walk silently or stealthily

noun

1. on tiptoe ⇒ on the tips of the toes or on the ball of the foot and the toes
2. eagerly anticipating something
3. stealthily or silently

adverb

1. on tiptoe

adjective

1. walking or standing on tiptoe