tack
tak
Tack (noun) means a short nail with a broad, flat head. Example: “He pinned the poster to the corkboard with a tack.”
noun
1
A short nail with a broad, flat head.
"He pinned the poster to the corkboard with a tack."
2
A change of course or approach, especially a new strategy after the old one stopped working.
"When sales dropped, the company decided to try a different tack."
"She took a gentler tack when explaining the mistake to the new hire."
3
The equipment used on a horse, such as a saddle and bridle.
"The stable hands cleaned all the tack after the ride."
verb
1
To turn a sailing boat so the wind switches from one side to the other, or more generally to fasten something loosely in place.
"The crew tacked to avoid the rocks ahead."
How to use tack
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a small nail, a change in approach or direction, or horse-riding equipment.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "a different tack" (approach) with "a different tact" — the correct idiom is "tack," borrowed from sailing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
change tack
a different tack
thumb tack
horse tack
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Word forms
- Plural
- tacks
- Third person singular
- tacks
- Past tense
- tacked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He pinned the poster to the corkboard with a _____.
Etymology
From Middle English tak/takke, meaning a hook or nail, from an Old Northern French word for a peg or pin.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tack
See all rhymes for tack →Frequently asked questions
What does “tack” mean?
The word “tack” means a short nail with a broad, flat head. In plain terms, depending on context: a small nail, a change in approach or direction, or horse-riding equipment.
How do you pronounce “tack”?
“Tack” is pronounced tak (/tæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “tack” in a sentence?
Here is “tack” used in a sentence: “He pinned the poster to the corkboard with a tack.”
What part of speech is “tack”?
Depending on how it is used, “tack” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tack” come from?
The word “tack” comes from French. From Middle English tak/takke, meaning a hook or nail, from an Old Northern French word for a peg or pin.
Is “tack” a common word?
“Tack” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tack” have?
“Tack” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short nail with a broad, flat head.
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