Pronunciation: [tˈɪptə͡ʊz] (IPA) 
Tiptoes is spelled with six letters, and pronounced /ˈtɪp.təʊz/. In the word, 'Tipt' is pronounced /tɪpt/ and the 'oe' is pronounced as a long /oʊ/ sound. The final 's' is pronounced as a /z/. This word describes a way of walking on the balls of your feet, without letting the heels touch the ground. Spelling 'Tiptoes' correctly is important to convey the intended meaning in writing and spoken communication.
Tiptoes is a verb that refers to the action of walking, moving, or standing on the tips of one's toes, usually to avoid making noise or to maintain balance. It involves putting the weight of the body on the balls of the feet or the toes, rather than the entire foot. This movement is characterized by a delicate or light stepping motion, as if one is trying to avoid touching the ground with the full sole of the foot.
Tiptoes is often used to describe a cautious or stealthy manner of movement, as it allows individuals to move quietly and discreetly. It is commonly employed in situations that require silence, such as sneaking up on someone or moving around a quiet room without disturbing others.
Moreover, the term can also be used figuratively to express a sense of delicacy, carefulness, or grace. For example, someone may be said to "tiptoe" around a sensitive topic or "tiptoe" through a difficult situation, implying that they are navigating it with caution and sensitivity.
In summary, to tiptoe is to walk, move, or stand on the tips of one's toes in a light and careful manner, either to reduce noise or to exhibit grace and delicacy.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "tiptoes" has a straightforward etymology. It is a compound word formed by combining "tip" and "toes".
"Tip" derives from the Old English word "typpan", meaning "to knock or tap lightly". Over time, it evolved to refer to the end or point of something, such as the tip of a finger or the tip of one's shoe.
"Toes" traces back to the Old English word "ta", which signifies "toe" or "finger". This word is of Germanic origin and can be linked to similar words in other Germanic languages.
Thus, when "tip" and "toes" are combined, it creates the word "tiptoes", which refers to the action of walking or standing on the tips of one's toes, typically done quietly or delicately.
