Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of tip verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

 Oxford3000

tip

verb
tip pronunciation English tɪp tip pronunciation American tɪp
 
tipping, tipped
 

lean/pour/push at an angle

1 [intransitive, transitive] to move so that one end or side is higher than the other; to move something into this position
Synonym
tilt(+ adverb/preposition) The boat tipped to one side.The seat tips forward to allow passengers into the back.tip something (+ adverb/preposition) She tipped her head back and laughed loudly.He tipped the wheelbarrow on its side.2 [transitive] tip something/somebody + adverb/preposition to make something/somebody come out of a container or its/their position by holding or lifting it/them at an angleShe tipped the dirty water down the drain.The bus stopped abruptly, nearly tipping me out of my seat.3 [transitive] tip something + adverb/preposition to touch something lightly so that it moves in a particular directionThe goalkeeper just managed to tip the ball over the crossbar.
 

leave rubbish

4 [intransitive, transitive] tip (something) (British English) to leave rubbish/garbage somewhere outdoors in order to get rid of it‘No tipping.’ (= for example, on a notice)
 

give extra money

5 [intransitive, transitive] to give somebody an extra amount of money to thank them for something they have done for you as part of their jobAmericans were always welcome because they tended to tip heavily.tip somebody Did you remember to tip the waiter?tip somebody something She tipped the porter a dollar.
 

predict success

6 [transitive] (especially British English) to say in advance that somebody/something will be successfultip somebody/something (for something) The band is being tipped for the top.tip somebody/something as something The senator has been tipped by many as a future president.tip somebody/something to do something The actor is tipped to win an Oscar for his performance.
 

cover end

7 [transitive, usually passive] tip something (with something) to cover the end or edge of something with a colour, a substance, etcThe wings are tipped with yellow.
Idioms

it is/was tipping (it) down

(British English, informal) it is/was raining heavily

tip the balance/scales

(also swing the balance) to affect the result of something in one way rather than anotherIn an interview, smart presentation can tip the scales in your favour.New evidence tipped the balance against the prosecution.

tip your hand

(North American English) (British English show your hand/cards) to make your plans or intentions known

tip the scales at something

to weigh a particular amount
He tipped the scales at just over 80 kilos.

tip somebody the wink

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tip the wink to somebody

(British English, informal) to give somebody secret information that they can use to gain an advantage for themselvesThere's no way he would have bought those shares if someone in the company hadn't tipped him the wink.
 more at I tip my hat to somebody at hat noun
Phrasal verbs

tip somebody off (about something)

(informal) to warn somebody about something that is going to happen, especially something illegalThree men were arrested after police were tipped off about the raid.tip that… They were tipped off that he might be living in Wales. related noun tip-off

tip up/over

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tip something up/over

to fall or turn over; to make something do thisThe mug tipped over, spilling hot coffee everywhere.We'll have to tip the sofa up to get it through the door.