tipoff: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal to neutral; common in journalism, sports, and casual speech.
Quick answer
What does “tipoff” mean?
A piece of confidential information given as a warning or hint.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of confidential information given as a warning or hint.
Can refer to the start of a basketball game or any initial clue that leads to discovery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, often spelled as 'tip-off' with a hyphen; in American English, can be 'tipoff' or 'tip-off'. In sports, 'tipoff' is standard in American basketball.
Connotations
Generally similar, but in crime contexts, it may have a more serious connotation in American English due to media usage.
Frequency
More frequently used in American English, especially in sports contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tipoff” in a Sentence
N that CLAUSEN to NPN from NPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tipoff” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The informant tipped off the police about the planned heist.
American English
- He tipped off the feds to the illegal operation.
adjective
British English
- The tipped-off officers arrived at the scene promptly.
American English
- She had a tipped-off advantage in the competition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts like insider trading where confidential information is leaked.
Academic
Rare; may appear in studies of criminology or sports sociology.
Everyday
Common in news reports about crimes or sports events.
Technical
In basketball, refers to the jump ball that starts the game.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tipoff”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tipoff”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tipoff”
- Spelling it as 'tip off' when used as a noun, or confusing with 'tip' meaning gratuity.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be written as one word 'tipoff' or hyphenated 'tip-off', with 'tip-off' being more common in British English.
Yes, the verb form is 'tip off', as in 'to tip someone off', meaning to give confidential information.
'Tipoff' often implies confidential or insider information, while 'hint' is more general and may not be secret.
In basketball, 'tipoff' refers to the jump ball that starts the game, and by extension, it can mean the beginning of any competition.
A piece of confidential information given as a warning or hint.
Tipoff is usually informal to neutral; common in journalism, sports, and casual speech. in register.
Tipoff: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɪp.ɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɪp.ɑːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on a tipoff”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a race where a tip (hint) tips off the starting line, signaling the beginning.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A TRIGGER
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'tipoff'?