noun
tentacle
TEHN-tuh-kuhl
Tentacle (noun) means a long, flexible, limb-like organ used for grasping or feeling, found on animals like octopuses and squid. Example: “The octopus wrapped a tentacle around the jar to open it.”
noun
1
A long, flexible, limb-like organ used for grasping or feeling, found on animals like octopuses and squid.
"The octopus wrapped a tentacle around the jar to open it."
2
A far-reaching branch of influence or control, especially of something sinister.
"The cartel's tentacles reached into the local police force."
How to use tentacle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sea-creature's grasping limb, or figuratively, a spreading reach of influence.
Common pairings
reach its tentacles
a tentacle of
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Word forms
- Plural
- tentacles
- Third person singular
- tentacles
- Past tense
- tentacled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The octopus wrapped a _____ around the jar to open it.
Etymology
From New Latin tentaculum, from Latin tentare ("to feel, try").
Synonyms
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tentaculum
Rhymes for tentacle
See all rhymes for tentacle →Frequently asked questions
What does “tentacle” mean?
The word “tentacle” means a long, flexible, limb-like organ used for grasping or feeling, found on animals like octopuses and squid. In plain terms, a sea-creature's grasping limb, or figuratively, a spreading reach of influence.
How do you pronounce “tentacle”?
“Tentacle” is pronounced TEHN-tuh-kuhl (/ˈtɛntəkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “tentacle” in a sentence?
Here is “tentacle” used in a sentence: “The octopus wrapped a tentacle around the jar to open it.”
What is another word for “tentacle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tentacle” include tentaculum.
What part of speech is “tentacle”?
“Tentacle” is a noun.
Where does the word “tentacle” come from?
The word “tentacle” comes from New Latin. From New Latin tentaculum, from Latin tentare ("to feel, try").
How many meanings does “tentacle” have?
“Tentacle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, flexible, limb-like organ used for grasping or feeling, found on animals like octopuses and squid.
