tip Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
  2. noun a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)
    baksheesh; pourboire; bakshis; bakshish; gratuity; backsheesh.
  3. noun an indication of potential opportunity
    lead; hint; steer; wind; confidential information.
    • he got a tip on the stock market
    • a good lead for a job
  4. noun a V shape
    peak; point.
    • the cannibal's teeth were filed to sharp points
  5. noun the top or extreme point of something (usually a mountain or hill)
    crown; top; summit; peak; crest.
    • the view from the peak was magnificent
    • they clambered to the tip of Monadnock
    • the region is a few molecules wide at the summit
  6. verb cause to tilt
    • tip the screen upward
  7. verb mark with a tip
    • tip the arrow with the small stone
  8. verb give a tip or gratuity to in return for a service, beyond the compensation agreed on
    fee; bung.
    • Remember to tip the waiter
    • fee the steward
  9. verb cause to topple or tumble by pushing
    topple; tumble.
  10. verb to incline or bend from a vertical position
    tilt; lean; slant; angle.
    • She leaned over the banister
  11. verb walk on one's toes
    tippytoe; tiptoe.
  12. verb strike lightly
    tap.
    • He tapped me on the shoulder
  13. verb give insider information or advise to
    tip off.
    • He tipped off the police about the terrorist plot
  14. verb remove the tip from
    • tip artichokes

WordNet

Tip noun
Etymology
Akin to D. & Dan. tip, LG. & Sw. tipp, G. zipfel, and probably to E. tap a plug, a pipe.
Definitions
  1. The point or extremity of anything; a pointed or somewhat sharply rounded end; the end; as, the tip of the finger; the tip of a spear.
    To the very tip of the nose. Shak.
  2. An end piece or part; a piece, as a cap, nozzle, ferrule, or point, applied to the extreme end of anything; as, a tip for an umbrella, a shoe, a gas burner, etc.
  3. (Hat Manuf.) A piece of stiffened lining pasted on the inside of a hat crown.
  4. A thin, boarded brush made of camel's hair, used by gilders in lifting gold leaf.
  5. Rubbish thrown from a quarry.
Tip transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Tipped ; present participle & verbal noun Tipping
Definitions
  1. To form a point upon; to cover the tip, top, or end of; as, to tip anything with gold or silver.
    With truncheon tipped with iron head. Hudibras.
    Tipped with jet, Fair ermines spotless as the snows they press. Thomson.
Tip transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. LG. tippen to tap, Sw. tippa, and E. tap to strike gently.
Definitions
  1. To strike slightly; to tap.
    A third rogue tips me by the elbow. Swift.
  2. To bestow a gift, or douceur, upon; to give a present to; as, to tip a servant. Colloq. Thackeray.
  3. To lower one end of, or to throw upon the end; to tilt; as, to tip a cask; to tip a cart.
Tip intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To fall on, or incline to, one side. Bunyan.
Tip noun
Etymology
See Tip to strike slightly, and cf. Tap a slight blow.
Definitions
  1. A light touch or blow; a tap.
  2. A gift; a douceur; a fee. Colloq.
  3. A hint, or secret intimation, as to the chances in a horse race, or the like. Sporting Cant

Webster 1913