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toe

toe

526 1.0
One of the five small parts at the end of a foot that help you balance while walking
  • noun
  • /toʊ/
translation icon : dedo del pie
  • There will, however, be a strain on the toes if suitable walking shoes are not worn.
  • big toe
  • feet and toes
  • fingers and toes

I would not put your toe in my mouth.

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Examples

  • Point your toes in, please.

  • I dug my bare toes into the ground, my eyes half shut in exhaustion.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Put your foot out that l may kiss your big toe.

  • The nail on my big toe never grew back.

  • Legs and arms and five toes on each foot, five fingers on each hand.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Every time someone stubs their toe, they all feel the same pain.

  • She stands upon her toes and turns and turns.

  • Billie puts her feet on the dash and wiggles her toes in the wind.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Leather sandals hardly touched the floor, and her bare toes were long, the nails tinged with rose.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • After a long hike, my feet were sore, especially my toes.

Idioms

Completely covering the whole body from head to feet

toe to toe
  • Informal
14 6.8

In direct competition or argument with someone

toe-to-toe
  • Informal
10 7.0

To stand very close and fight or argue strongly

to toe the line
  • Informal
9 5.4

To do what people in charge expect and follow the rules exactly

To dance in a lively, elegant way to music

Compounds

19 1.0

The largest toe on the inside of the foot

4 1.0

Smallest toe at the outer edge of the human foot

3 2.2

A simple game for two people where each places Xs or Os to make three in a row

1 6.4

The front part of a shoe that covers and protects the toes

toe rag
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who is very unpleasant and treats others badly

1 4.2

A shoe or boot front that comes to a narrow point

toe-in
  • Specialized
1 7.2

The front wheels of a car point slightly inward to improve control

1 5.2

A song with a lively beat that makes you want to tap your toes or dance

4.0

The largest toe on the inner side of the foot

1.6

A game for two players who take turns marking a three by three grid to make three in a row

tit-tat-toe
  • Archaic
4.5

A simple two-player game of X and O on a 3 by 3 grid to make three in a row

toe bean
  • Slang
7.8

Soft, round pads under a cat's or dog's paw that look like small beans

toe crack
  • Specialized
9.9

A crack at the front of a horse's hoof that can make the horse limp

6.1

A dance on the tips of the toes usually in ballet

A way of dancing on the tips of the toes in special shoes, usually in ballet

toe toe
  • New Zealand
9.9

A tall New Zealand grass with large feathery flower heads

A shoe or boot with a flat, straight toe instead of a round one

How Big

big toe
19 1.0
toe
526 1.0
little toe
4 1.0

Surface Forms

toe singular
toes plural

Etymology

Toe comes from an old German word that meant 'tip' or 'point', so a toe is the small 'tip' at the end of your foot that helps you keep balance.