noun

doornail

Doornail (noun) means a large-headed nail traditionally used to build and decorate wooden doors. Example: “The old door was studded with rusted doornails.”

noun

A large-headed nail traditionally used to build and decorate wooden doors.

"The old door was studded with rusted doornails."

How to use doornail

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA heavy nail used in old-fashioned doors, best known from the idiom "dead as a doornail."

Common pairings

dead as a doornail

Word forms

doornails plural

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The old door was studded with rusted _____.

Etymology

A compound of "door" and "nail," mostly remembered today through the phrase "dead as a doornail."

Rhymes for doornail

rail tail pail mail nail sail fail hail jail vail bail wail

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Frequently asked questions

What does “doornail” mean?

The word “doornail” means a large-headed nail traditionally used to build and decorate wooden doors. In plain terms, a heavy nail used in old-fashioned doors, best known from the idiom "dead as a doornail.".

How do you use “doornail” in a sentence?

Here is “doornail” used in a sentence: “The old door was studded with rusted doornails.”

What part of speech is “doornail”?

“Doornail” is a noun.

What is the meaning of doornail?

"doornail" (noun) means a large-headed nail traditionally used to build and decorate wooden doors.