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tail

tail

 
 
pronunciation:
teIl
parts of speech:
noun, adjective, transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Homophone Note, Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: an animal's rearmost part, usu. an appendage and extension of the spinal column, that projects from the rear of the trunk.
 
similar words:
appendage, tag
definition 2: something that resembles this appendage in position or form, such as a kite's tail, the luminous trail of a comet, or a fall of hair such as a ponytail.
similar words:
tag
definition 3: the rearmost part of an airplane, rocket, wagon, or the like, or the specialized structures attached there.
definition 4: the rear, bottom, or end portion of anything.
the tail of a shirt
similar words:
tag
definition 5: (pl.) the reverse side of a coin. (Cf. head.)
antonyms:
head
definition 6: (informal) an agent assigned to follow someone secretly.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: being in the rear.
the tail enda tail seat on a plane
definition 2: coming from the rear; from behind.
The tail wind forced us off course.
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: tails, tailing, tailed
definition 1: to provide with a tail.
definition 2: to follow at the end of.
A large float tailed the parade.
definition 3: (informal) to follow secretly in order to observe.
The policeman tailed the suspect.
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to recede or diminish gradually (often fol. by "off" or "away").
The storm tailed off into a gentle shower.
definition 2: (informal) to follow someone closely.
similar words:
tag
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: tailless (adj.), taillike (adj.)
Homophone Note
Are you looking for the word tale (a story)? Tail and tale sound alike but have different meanings.
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  airplane, animal, cat, dinosaur, fish, rodent