Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun graphical user interface An element of a graphical user interface in the form of a box of text that appears when a cursor is made to hover over an item; normally used to explain the function of the item.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

tool +‎ tip, originally used with toolbars to provide a tip or hint as to what function each graphical icon represented. The term was introduced by Microsoft circa Windows 95.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word tooltip.

Examples

  • A tooltip is a box that appears when you hover your cursor over an element like a hyperlink.

    doggdot.us 2009

  • ControlFocus, SysListView321, \% MainWnd\%; removes long name tooltip

    AutoHotkey Community 2009

  • ControlFocus, SysListView321, \% MainWnd\%; removes long name tooltip

    AutoHotkey Community 2009

  • ControlFocus, SysListView321, \% MainWnd\%; removes long name tooltip

    AutoHotkey Community 2009

  • Fixed: Rename tooltip on llPushObject icon in the menu bar to read "No Pushing"

    World of SL 2008

  • ControlFocus, SysListView321, \% MainWnd\%; removes long name tooltip

    AutoHotkey Community 2008

  • ControlFocus, SysListView321, \% MainWnd\%; removes long name tooltip

    AutoHotkey Community 2008

  • Allowing links to have a different style when they've already been visited or when the cursor is hovering over them gives opportunity to improve the user interface and the user experience. title - the 'tooltip' of the link title = "Find out more about the next SEOmoz seminar"

    Search Engine Optimization and Marketing News provided by Cumbrowski.com RobOusbey 2010

  • The "tooltip" pattern is another unobtrusive way to embed help.

    Boagworld recommends 2010

  • Allowing links to have a different style when they've already been visited or when the cursor is hovering over them gives opportunity to improve the user interface and the user experience. title - the 'tooltip' of the link title = "Find out more about the next SEOmoz seminar"

    Search Engine Optimization and Marketing News provided by Cumbrowski.com 2010

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