What does "toe" mean?
Each of the five digits on the end of the human foot.
Toe
/təʊ/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Each of the five digits on the end of the human foot.
- Grammar: toe is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: arch, base, baseboard, basement.
- Useful contrasts: dutch vinger, avoid, backscarp.
- Usage evidence: A strict father makes his children toe the line by thorough training.
How to use "toe"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "toe" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "toe" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "toe" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "toe" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "toe" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "arch" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "toe", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Each of the five digits on the end of the human foot. countable, uncountable
"An old traditional prescription for provoking erotic inclinations ran as follows, The toe of the foot of a man, anointed with oil, or honey, or the ashes of a weasel."
- 2 Initialism of theory of everything. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 3 Initialism of theory of everything. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 4 the part of footwear that provides a covering for the toes wordnet
- 5 The equivalent part in an animal. countable, uncountable
Show 18 more definitions
- 6 Initialism of table of organization and equipment. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 7 (golf) the part of a clubhead farthest from the shaft wordnet
- 8 That part of a shoe or sock covering the toe. countable, uncountable
- 9 Initialism of terms of employment. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 10 one of the digits of the foot wordnet
- 11 Something resembling a toe, especially at the bottom or extreme end of something. countable, uncountable
"(golf) the extreme end of the head of a club."
- 12 Initialism of transoesophageal echocardiogram. UK, abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
- 13 forepart of a hoof wordnet
- 14 An advanced form of ballet primarily performed by women, wearing pointe shoes. uncountable
- 15 An alignment of the wheels of a road vehicle, either positive (toe in), meaning the wheels are closer together at the front than at the back, or negative (toe out), the other way round. countable, uncountable
- 16 The journal, or pivot, at the lower end of a revolving shaft or spindle, which rests in a step. countable, uncountable
- 17 A lateral projection at one end, or between the ends, of a piece, such as a rod or bolt, by means of which it is moved. countable, uncountable
- 18 A projection from the periphery of a revolving piece, acting as a cam to lift another piece. countable, uncountable
- 19 The long side of an angled cut. countable, uncountable
- 20 The upper end of the bit (cutting edge) of an axehead; as opposed to the heel (lower end). countable, uncountable
- 21 A cameltoe. countable, slang, uncountable
- 22 Speed, energy, vigor. Australia, New-Zealand, slang, uncountable
"to have a lot of toe"
- 23 a person countable, figuratively, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To furnish (a stocking, etc.) with a toe. transitive
- 2 touch with the toe wordnet
- 3 To touch, tap or kick with the toes. intransitive, transitive
""Here's ten shillings for you, but I'm going to toe your backside first!" said Manna. And the Dane let him kick away; his yellow teeth gleamed in a servile grin and then he clutched at the money."
- 4 drive (a golf ball) with the toe of the club wordnet
- 5 To touch or reach with the toes; to come fully up to. transitive
"to toe the mark"
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 hit (a golf ball) with the toe of the club wordnet
- 7 To fasten (a piece) by driving a fastener at a near-45-degree angle through the side (of the piece) into the piece to which it is to be fastened. transitive
"The framers toed the irregular pieces into the sill."
- 8 drive obliquely wordnet
- 9 To mishit a golf ball with the toe of the club. transitive
- 10 walk so that the toes assume an indicated position or direction wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
"A strict father makes his children toe the line by thorough training."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "toe"?
Common synonyms include: arch, base, baseboard, basement, chassis, clubfoot.
How do you use "toe" in a sentence?
A strict father makes his children toe the line by thorough training.
How do you pronounce "toe"?
Pronounced /təʊ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English to, from Old English tā, (Mercian) tāhe, from Proto-West Germanic *taihā, from Proto-Germanic *taihwǭ, from *tīhwaną (“to show, announce”), from Proto-Indo-European *deyḱ- (“to show”). See also Dutch teen, German Zehe, Danish tå, Swedish tå; also Old English teōn (“to accuse”), German zeihen (“to accuse, blame”); also Hittite [script needed] (tekkuššāi), Latin dīcere (“to say”), digitus (“finger”), Ancient Greek δείκνυμι (deíknumi, “to point out, show”), Sanskrit दिदेष्टि (dídeṣṭi), दिशति (diśáti).
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Kru, but also from Burmese တို (tui). This surname is mostly found in Myanmar, followed by Liberia and Burkina Faso.