1 tail | Definition of tail
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

tail

noun (1), often attributive
\ ˈtāl How to pronounce tail (audio) \

Definition of tail

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : the rear end or a process or prolongation of the rear end of the body of an animal
2 : something resembling an animal's tail in shape or position: such as
a : a luminous stream of particles, gases, or ions extending from a comet especially in the antisolar direction
b : the rear part of an airplane consisting usually of horizontal and vertical stabilizing surfaces with attached control surfaces
3 : the reverse of a coin —usually used in plural tails, I win

4 tails plural

a : tailcoat
b : full evening dress for men
5 : a location immediately or not far behind had a posse on his tail
6 : one (such as a detective) who follows or keeps watch on someone
7a : buttocks, butt
b slang, vulgar : sexual intercourse
8 : retinue
9 : the back, last, lower, or inferior part of something
10 : tailing sense 1 —usually used in plural
11 : the blank space at the bottom of a page

tail

verb
tailed; tailing; tails

Definition of tail (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to follow for purposes of surveillance
2 : to connect end to end
3a : to remove the tail of (an animal) : dock
b : to remove the stem or bottom part of topping and tailing gooseberries
4a : to make or furnish with a tail
b : to follow or be drawn behind like a tail

intransitive verb

1 : to form or move in a straggling line
2 : to grow progressively smaller, fainter, or more scattered : abate —usually used with off productivity is tailing off— Tom Nicholson
3 : to swing or lie with the stern in a named direction —used of a ship at anchor
4 : tag entry 2

tail

noun (2)

Definition of tail (Entry 3 of 4)

: entail sense 1a

tail

adjective

Definition of tail (Entry 4 of 4)

: limited as to tenure : entailed
Other Words from tail Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about tail

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from tail

Noun (1)

tailed \ ˈtāld How to pronounce tailed (audio) \ adjective
tailless \ ˈtāl-​ləs How to pronounce tailless (audio) \ adjective
taillike \ ˈtāl-​ˌlīk How to pronounce taillike (audio) \ adjective

Verb

tailer noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for tail

Synonyms: Verb

bird-dog, chase, course, dog, follow, hound, pursue, run, shadow, tag, trace, track, trail

Antonyms: Verb

guide, lead, pilot

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of tail in a Sentence

Verb

 The police had been tailing the suspect for several miles. She is constantly tailed by the press. The pitch tailed away from the batter.
See More

First Known Use of tail

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1523, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tail

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English tægel; akin to Old High German zagal tail, Middle Irish dúal lock of hair

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from tailler

Adjective

Middle English taille, from Anglo-French taylé, past participle of tailler to cut, limit — more at tailor

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!