tail
19 synonyms and 1 antonym for tail, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The flexible appendage extending from the rear of an animal's body.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The flexible appendage extending from the rear of an animal's body.
“The dog wagged its tail excitedly when its owner came home.”
Opposites
How to use tail
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
wag its tail
tail of the plane
heads or tails
tail someone
Etymology
From Old English tægl ("tail"), going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "hair" or "hair of the tail."
Full origin of tail →Frequently asked questions
What does “tail” mean?
The word “tail” means the flexible appendage extending from the rear of an animal's body. In plain terms, the part at the back end of an animal, object, or event — or, as a verb, to secretly follow someone.
How do you pronounce “tail”?
“Tail” is pronounced TAYL (/ˈteɪ̯l/ in IPA).
How do you use “tail” in a sentence?
Here is “tail” used in a sentence: “The dog wagged its tail excitedly when its owner came home.”
What part of speech is “tail”?
Depending on how it is used, “tail” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tail” come from?
The word “tail” comes from Old English. From Old English tægl ("tail"), going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "hair" or "hair of the tail.".
Is “tail” a common word?
“Tail” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tail” have?
“Tail” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the flexible appendage extending from the rear of an animal's body.
What is the difference between tail and tale?
Tail and tale sound the same but mean different things. A tail is the appendage at the rear of an animal or the rear part of something, while a tale is a story.
What are some common uses of tail beyond animals?
Besides an animal's rear appendage, tail names the rear section of many things, such as an aircraft's tail, the tail of a comet, or the end of a line or queue. It generally refers to the hindmost part.
