Toe
Toe is the angle of the wheels seen from above: toe-in points their fronts together, toe-out points them apart.
Also called: toe-in, toe-out, toe angle
Look down on a car from above. If the front edges of a pair of wheels point slightly toward each other, that is toe-in. If they point slightly apart, that is toe-out. The amounts are tiny, often a fraction of a degree, but they have big effects.
Toe-in, especially at the rear, adds straight-line stability and makes the car resist changes of direction. Toe-out at the front makes the car turn in more eagerly but can make it twitchy and wander on straights. Too much toe of either kind scrubs speed, adds heat and wears tires quickly.
Toe changes as the suspension compresses, so ride height and alignment are linked. If your car feels nervous under braking or darty on bumpy straights, ask the alignment shop to check toe, especially at the rear.
Toe settings balance turn-in response against stability, which affects both lap time and confidence.