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dovetail — to fit together perfectly or combine harmoniously

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to fit together perfectly or combine harmoniously

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdʌvteɪl/

Example Sentences

  • My weekend job dovetails nicely with my study schedule.
  • Their wedding plans dovetailed perfectly until the groom forgot to book the venue.
  • The company's expansion strategy dovetails with market trends.

dovetail

VERB

[/ˈdʌvteɪl/]

to fit together perfectly or combine harmoniously

The carpenter's dovetail joints locked the drawer together without a single nail.
💡 Concept

The carpenter's dovetail joints locked the drawer together without a single nail.

Every detail must dovetail for success in retail!
🎵 Rhyme

Every detail must dovetail for success in retail!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈdʌvteɪl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈdʌvteɪl/

🌳Etymology

Rootdove + tail

Origin

From the Middle English and Old English combination of 'dove' (the bird) and 'tail,' referring to the shape of the woodworking joint that resembles a dove's tail feathers. The metaphorical sense of 'fitting together perfectly' developed from this precise joinery technique.

Breakdown

dove (bird) + tail (rear appendage) = dovetail (a type of interlocking joint, or to fit together harmoniously)

🎵Rhyme

cocktail
retail
detail

🔗Collocations

dovetail perfectly
dovetail with plans
dovetail joint
dovetail neatly
schedules dovetail

📝Examples

“My weekend job dovetails nicely with my study schedule.”

😄 Fun example

“Their wedding plans dovetailed perfectly until the groom forgot to book the venue.”

“The company's expansion strategy dovetails with market trends.”

😄 Fun example

“His excuse about being late dovetailed suspiciously well with the pizza delivery time.”

📚Related Words

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