Standard Lemma guide

tip-off

noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An obvious clue or indication.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • The broken window and overturned plant pots were a tip-off that something was wrong.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A report of suspicious behaviour, especially to an authority.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • The police received a tip-off about a recent bank robbery.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Jump ball that starts a game.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, basketball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

the act of starting a basketball game with a jump ball

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: tap-off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: jump ball

5

noun

Meaning 5

inside information that something is going to happen

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: information

History

Etymology

Deverbal from tip off.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Tipp — A report of suspicious behaviour, especially to an authority
  • German: Hinweis — A report of suspicious behaviour, especially to an authority
  • Italian: soffiata — A report of suspicious behaviour, especially to an authority
  • Polish: cynk — A report of suspicious behaviour, especially to an authority
  • Spanish: chivatazo — A report of suspicious behaviour, especially to an authority
  • Spanish: soplo — A report of suspicious behaviour, especially to an authority
  • Turkish: ihbar — A report of suspicious behaviour, especially to an authority