adj
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tantamount
TAN-tuh-mownt
Tantamount (adj) means Equal in effect or seriousness to something else, even if not literally the same. Example: “Ignoring the warning was tantamount to admitting guilt.”
adj
1
Equal in effect or seriousness to something else, even if not literally the same.
"Ignoring the warning was tantamount to admitting guilt."
"His silence was tantamount to a confession."
How to use tantamount
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs good as; effectively the same as, even if not stated outright.
Common pairings
tantamount to treason
tantamount to an admission
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Word forms
- Plural
- tantamounts
- Third person singular
- tantamounts
- Past tense
- tantamounted
- Comparative
- more tantamount
- Superlative
- most tantamount
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Ignoring the warning was _____ to admitting guilt.
Etymology
Borrowed in the early 1600s, most likely from Italian tanto montare ("to amount to as much"), or from an Anglo-Norman phrase with the same meaning.
Class of 1600
tantamount joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tantamount
See all rhymes for tantamount →Frequently asked questions
What does “tantamount” mean?
The word “tantamount” means equal in effect or seriousness to something else, even if not literally the same. In plain terms, as good as; effectively the same as, even if not stated outright.
How do you pronounce “tantamount”?
“Tantamount” is pronounced TAN-tuh-mownt (/ˈtæntəˌmaʊnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tantamount” in a sentence?
Here is “tantamount” used in a sentence: “Ignoring the warning was tantamount to admitting guilt.”
What part of speech is “tantamount”?
“Tantamount” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tantamount” come from?
The word “tantamount” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Italian. Borrowed in the early 1600s, most likely from Italian tanto montare ("to amount to as much"), or from an Anglo-Norman phrase with the same meaning.
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