1
: the act or an instance of tipping : tilt
2
chiefly British
: a place for depositing something (such as rubbish) by dumping
1
: the usually pointed end of something
a pencil tip
2
: a small piece or part serving as an end, cap, or point
tipped; tipping
1
a
: to furnish with a tip
b(1)
: to cover or adorn the tip of
(2)
: to blend (furs) for improved appearance by brushing the tips of the hair with dye
2
: to affix (an insert) in a book
—often used with in
3
: to remove the ends of
tip raspberries
tipped; tipping
1
: to strike lightly : tap
2
: to give (something, such as a baseball) a glancing blow
: a light touch or blow
1
: a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information
2
: a piece of advance or confidential information given by one thought to have access to special or inside sources
tipped; tipping
1
: to impart a piece of information or advice about or to
—often used with off
2
chiefly British
: to mention as a likely candidate, prospective winner, or profitable investment : tout sense 1
tipped; tipping
1
: to give a gratuity to
: to bestow a gratuity
: a gift or a sum of money tendered for a service performed or anticipated : gratuity
Phrases
tip the scales
1
: to register weight
tips the scales at 285 pounds
2
: to shift the balance of power or influence
tipped the scales in favor of a declaration of war—
S. F. Bemis
S. F. Bemis1
: about to be uttered
it was on the tip of my tongue to say exactly what I thought
2
: just eluding recall
: to declare one's intentions or reveal one's opinions or resources
the Justice Department wouldn't tip its hand by saying what its next move … would be—Newsweek
NewsweekSynonyms
Examples of tip in a Sentence
Verb (1)
be careful because if you tip your cup any more, you'll spill your tea
Noun (1)
she didn't say anything but just acknowledged our presence with a tip of her head
you simply cannot dispose of leftover petrol at the tip
Noun (2)
the tip of a knitting needle
Noun (4)
got some tips from a horticulturist on how to get my violets to bloom
investigators are trying to determine whether the investor illegally received a tip that the company's stock was about to plunge
Noun (5)
gave our waiter an extra large tip for such fantastic service
a customer who always gives his paper carrier a very generous tip at Christmastime
Recent Examples on the Web
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Most drivers entering Manhattan's Central Business District, which stretches from 60th Street all the way down to the southern tip of the Financial District, would have to pay the toll.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Chris Westfall, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
By the time the British — doubly warned by the IRA and by the Palace Barracks, who tipped off Scotland Yard after getting wind of the plan through an informant — get to the bombs, the crew is already at Heathrow.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tip 
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Noun
The Nuggets were unsure when Jokic would re-join the team as of Friday evening before the opening tip.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Most drivers entering Manhattan's Central Business District, which stretches from 60th Street all the way down to the southern tip of the Financial District, would have to pay the toll.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
But choices today are limited, tipping the scales in favor of employers.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
By the time the British — doubly warned by the IRA and by the Palace Barracks, who tipped off Scotland Yard after getting wind of the plan through an informant — get to the bombs, the crew is already at Heathrow.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tip
Video
Some Odd Words with ISMO: "People Tipping"
Comedian ISMO on the complexities of the word 'tip'
Dictionary Entries Near tip
Cite this Entry
“Tip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tip. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tip
1 of 10 verb
tipped; tipping
1
: turn over sense 1a
tipped over a glass
2
: to bend from a straight position : slant
the bench tips on the uneven floor
3
: to raise and tilt forward
tipped his hat
tip
2 of 10 noun
: the act or an instance of tipping
a tip of the hat
tip
3 of 10 verb
tipped; tipping
1
: to attach a tip to
2
: to cover or decorate the tip of
tip
4 of 10 noun1
: the pointed or rounded end of something
2
: a small piece or part serving as an end, cap, or point
tip
5 of 10 noun
: a light touch or blow : tap
tip
6 of 10 verb
tipped; tipping
: to hit a baseball so that it glances off the bat
tip
7 of 10 noun
: a piece of useful or secret information given
got a tip on how to prepare for the test
tip
8 of 10 verb
tipped; tipping
: to give useful or secret information to
someone must have tipped them off
tip
9 of 10 verb
tipped; tipping
: to give a tip to
tip the waiter
tip
10 of 10 noun
: a small sum of money given for a service
Etymology
Verb
Middle English tipen "to upset, overturn"
Noun
Middle English tip "a pointed end"
Noun
Middle English tippe "a light touch or blow"
Noun
origin unknown
Verb
probably derived from earlier tip (verb) "to strike lightly"
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