tack — a small nail with a sharp point and a flat head
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a small nail with a sharp point and a flat head
Pronunciation (IPA): /tæk/
Example Sentences
- The teacher's new tack of using memes in class actually worked!
- I accidentally sat on a tack and jumped higher than an Olympic athlete.
- When Plan A failed, we decided to take a completely different tack.
tack
NOUN[/tæk/]
a small nail with a sharp point and a flat head
Securing poster with small tacks
A tack holds the track, despite the crack.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Tack originates from Middle Dutch 'tak', meaning 'nail' or 'branch'. Originally used in nautical contexts to denote small nails that secured a ship's sails, the term evolved into a sailing maneuver referring to a change of direction, and later developed the figurative sense of 'approach' or 'method'.
Breakdown
tak (nail, branch, peg) → tack. The word's evolution reflects semantic shift from concrete maritime equipment to abstract navigational action to general strategic approach.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher's new tack of using memes in class actually worked!”
“I accidentally sat on a tack and jumped higher than an Olympic athlete.”
“When Plan A failed, we decided to take a completely different tack.”
“She tacked a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on her door during exam week.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.