entail
4 synonyms for entail, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To involve or require something as a necessary consequence.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
implicate
fee-tail
How to use entail
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
entails a risk
the job entails
what does it entail
Etymology
From Old French entailler, "to cut into," from en- + tailler ("to cut"). The legal sense comes from the idea of an inheritance being "cut" or fixed to a set line of heirs.
Full origin of entail →Frequently asked questions
What does “entail” mean?
The word “entail” means to involve or require something as a necessary consequence. In plain terms, to bring something along with it as a necessary part or consequence.
How do you pronounce “entail”?
“Entail” is pronounced ehn-TAYL (/ɛnˈteɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “entail” in a sentence?
Here is “entail” used in a sentence: “Running a marathon entails months of serious training.”
What part of speech is “entail”?
Depending on how it is used, “entail” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “entail” come from?
The word “entail” comes from Old French. From Old French entailler, "to cut into," from en- + tailler ("to cut"). The legal sense comes from the idea of an inheritance being "cut" or fixed to a set line of heirs.
Is “entail” a common word?
“Entail” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “entail” have?
“Entail” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to involve or require something as a necessary consequence.
