verb
Uncommon
entails
in-TAYLZ
Entails (verb) means Third person singular of entail: to involve something as a necessary part or consequence. Example: “The job entails a lot of travel.”
verb
1
Third person singular of entail: to involve something as a necessary part or consequence.
"The job entails a lot of travel."
"Any surgery entails some risk."
2
technical In logic, of a statement: to have another statement as its necessary consequence, so that if the first is true the second must be true.
"That every raven is black entails that this raven is black."
3
legal, historical In property law, to settle land on a fixed line of heirs so that it cannot be sold or bequeathed freely.
"The will entails the estate on the eldest male heir."
How to use entails
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInvolves, or brings with it as a necessary part.
Memory tip
Follow it with a noun or an -ing form: 'the job entails travelling', not 'entails to travel'.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
implies
involves
requires
curtails
Common pairings
what this entails
entails a risk
entails a great deal of work
the role entails
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The job _____ a lot of travel.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman legal French 'entailler', to cut into a particular shape or restrict, from 'en-' plus 'taille' (a cut, a limitation). The general sense 'to involve as a consequence' developed from the legal one.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for entails
See all rhymes for entails →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 'entails' and 'implies'?
In everyday English they overlap, but 'entails' means something is necessarily included, while 'implies' can mean merely suggests or hints at. In logic the distinction is strict: entailment is a guaranteed consequence, whereas implication can be a weaker or purely conversational suggestion.
What does an entailed estate mean in novels like Pride and Prejudice?
It means the property is legally tied to a fixed line of heirs, in that case male ones, so the current owner cannot leave it to whoever he chooses. That is why the Bennet daughters cannot inherit Longbourn and it passes to Mr Collins.
What is the meaning of entails?
"entails" (verb) means third person singular of entail: to involve something as a necessary part or consequence.
What is another word for entails?
Other words for "entails" include involves, requires, means, necessitates, carries with it, implies.
