tiptoe
tiptoe Lexical Profile
tiptoe Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To walk quietly and cautiously on the tips of one's toes with the heels raised.
"The parents tiptoed out of the nursery so they would not wake the sleeping baby."
To deal with or avoid a sensitive, difficult, or controversial topic in an overly cautious or indirect way (usually followed by 'around').
"The committee members tiptoed around the budget deficit during the entire meeting."
• noun
The very tip or end of a toe, or the posture of standing with the heels raised off the ground.
"He stood on tiptoe to reach the top shelf of the bookcase."
• adverb
On the tips of the toes, with the heels raised off the ground.
"She stood tiptoe to peer over the high garden wall."
• adjective
Standing or walking on the tips of the toes with the heels raised.
"The dancer maintained a graceful tiptoe posture across the stage."
Characterized by quietness, caution, or stealth, or showing eager anticipation.
"They made a tiptoe exit from the conference room to avoid interrupting the speaker."
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English as a compound of 'tip' (extreme point) and 'to' (toe), originally used in prepositional phrases like 'on tiptoe'.