What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sneak
Example
He tried to sneak out of the house without waking his parents. [sneak: verb]
Example
She took a sneak peek at the gift before wrapping it. [sneak: noun]
tiptoe
Example
She tiptoed into the room, trying not to wake her sleeping baby. [tiptoed: past tense]
Example
He walked on tiptoe to avoid creaking the floorboards. [tiptoe: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tiptoe is less common than sneak in everyday language. Sneak is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while tiptoe is more specific and mainly used to describe quiet movement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sneak and tiptoe?
Both sneak and tiptoe are informal words and are commonly used in casual conversations. However, sneak can also be used in more formal contexts when referring to illegal or unethical behavior.
