A1 noun Neutral #1,695 most common

toe

/toʊ/

A toe is one of the five separate parts at the end of the human foot. They help provide balance and support the weight of the body while standing or walking.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I stubbed my big toe on the corner of the bed this morning.

I hit my largest toe against the bed frame by accident today.

2

The physician examined the patient's fractured toe to determine the extent of the injury.

The doctor checked the broken foot digit to see how bad it was.

3

Check out these funny socks with a separate space for each toe!

Look at these humorous socks that have a spot for every single toe.

Word Family

Noun
toe
Verb
toe
Adjective
toed
Related
tiptoe
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the letter 'T' for 'Toe' and 'T' for 'Tip of the foot'. Also, remember 'Toe' rhymes with 'Go', which is what feet help you do.

Quick Quiz

Ouch! I just hit my _____ against the leg of the chair.

Correct!

The correct answer is: toe

Examples

1

I stubbed my big toe on the corner of the bed this morning.

everyday

I hit my largest toe against the bed frame by accident today.

2

The physician examined the patient's fractured toe to determine the extent of the injury.

formal

The doctor checked the broken foot digit to see how bad it was.

3

Check out these funny socks with a separate space for each toe!

informal

Look at these humorous socks that have a spot for every single toe.

4

The anatomical structure of the toe is essential for maintaining human equilibrium.

academic

The physical build of the toe is necessary for keeping a person's balance.

5

All employees in the warehouse must wear steel-toe boots for safety.

business

Every worker in the storage building needs to wear boots with metal protection for their toes.

Word Family

Noun
toe
Verb
toe
Adjective
toed
Related
tiptoe

Common Collocations

big toe the largest toe on the foot
toe nail the hard covering at the end of a toe
touch your toes to bend down and reach for your feet
stub your toe to accidentally hit your toe against something
open-toed shoes footwear that leaves the toes visible

Common Phrases

from head to toe

completely over the entire body

toe the line

to follow the rules or standards strictly

dip a toe in

to test something carefully before fully committing

Often Confused With

toe vs tow

'Tow' is a verb meaning to pull a vehicle, while 'toe' is a part of the foot.

toe vs finger

A 'finger' is on the hand, while a 'toe' is on the foot.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is almost always used to refer to the digits of the foot. When referring to humans, we specifically distinguish between fingers (hands) and toes (feet).

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners from some language backgrounds (like Spanish or French) might call them 'foot fingers'. In English, 'fingers' and 'toes' are never interchangeable.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the letter 'T' for 'Toe' and 'T' for 'Tip of the foot'. Also, remember 'Toe' rhymes with 'Go', which is what feet help you do.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from Old English 'tā', originating from a Proto-Germanic word meaning 'finger' or 'toe'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural form: toes Used with 'on' (e.g., 'a ring on her toe')
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western cultures, it is common to paint toenails (pedicure) as a form of beauty and self-care.

Quick Quiz

Ouch! I just hit my _____ against the leg of the chair.

Correct!

The correct answer is: toe

More Health words

nose

A1

The nose is the part of the face located above the mouth that you use for breathing and smelling. It contains nostrils which allow air to enter the respiratory system.

neck

A1

The part of the body that connects the head to the rest of the body. It supports the weight of the head and allows it to turn and move.

chest

A1

The chest is the upper front part of the human body between the neck and the stomach. It contains important organs like the heart and the lungs.

knee

A1

The joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans. It is a vital part of the body that allows the leg to bend and supports the body's weight while standing or moving.

heart

A1

The organ in your chest that pumps blood through your body. It is also used to represent the center of your emotions, especially love.

cough

A1

A cough is a sudden, noisy expulsion of air from the lungs that usually happens involuntarily. It is often a symptom of a cold, the flu, or an irritation in the throat.

stomachache

A1

A pain in a person's stomach or the area around it. It is a common symptom often caused by eating too much, poor digestion, or a mild illness.

dizzy

A1

Dizzy describes a feeling where you feel like you are spinning or losing your balance. It often happens when you are sick or if you turn around in circles very quickly.

nausea

A1

Nausea is the feeling of being sick in your stomach and wanting to vomit. It often happens when you are ill, traveling in a car, or after eating bad food.

vomit

A1

Vomit is the food and liquid that comes out of your stomach through your mouth when you are sick. It is the physical substance produced after throwing up.

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