nail
0 antonyms and opposites of nail, grouped by meaning.
Noun — The hard, flat plate at the tip of a finger or toe.
How to use nail
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English næġl, tracing back to a very old Proto-Indo-European root for "nail" shared across many European and Indo-Iranian languages.
Full origin of nail →Frequently asked questions
What does “nail” mean?
The word “nail” means the hard, flat plate at the tip of a finger or toe. In plain terms, either the hard covering on your fingers and toes, the metal fastener used in building, or — informally — to do something perfectly or catch someone.
How do you pronounce “nail”?
“Nail” is pronounced nayl (/neɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “nail” in a sentence?
Here is “nail” used in a sentence: “She painted her nails a bright shade of red.”
What part of speech is “nail”?
Depending on how it is used, “nail” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “nail” come from?
The word “nail” comes from Old English. From Old English næġl, tracing back to a very old Proto-Indo-European root for "nail" shared across many European and Indo-Iranian languages.
Is “nail” a common word?
“Nail” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “nail” have?
“Nail” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the hard, flat plate at the tip of a finger or toe.
What is the difference between a nail and a screw?
A nail is a thin, pointed piece of metal driven straight into wood or another material with a hammer. A screw has a spiral thread and is turned into place, which grips the material more tightly and can usually be removed more easily.
What is the difference between a nail and a tack?
A tack is a short nail with a broad, flat head, used for light jobs such as pinning fabric or paper. A nail is generally longer and thinner, and is used for heavier joining of materials like wood.
What words commonly go with 'nail'?
For the metal fastener, common phrases include 'hammer a nail,' 'bang in a nail,' and 'rusty nail.' For the body part, common combinations are 'fingernail,' 'toenail,' 'nail file,' and 'nail polish.'