noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

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

A short nail with a broad, flat head.

"He pinned the poster to the corkboard with a tack."

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."

The equipment used on a horse, such as a saddle and bridle.

"The stable hands cleaned all the tack after the ride."

verb

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 notes

In 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

tact →

Common pairings

change tack a different tack thumb tack horse tack

Word forms

tacked past tense, tacks plural, tacks plural, tacks plural, Tacks plural, tacks singular

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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.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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approach strategy course pin fasten gear

Related words

way come things line course close current policy

Rhymes for tack

ACK jack hack back wack pack sack rack lack Mack Zack black

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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