All Definitions for Tail
Below are all the dictionary definitions of tail:
1The caudal appendage of an animal that is attached to their posterior and near the anus or cloaca.
2An object or part of an object resembling a tail in shape, such as the thongs on a cat-o'-nine-tails.
3The back, last, lower, or inferior part of anything.
4The feathers attached to the pygostyle of a bird.
5The tail-end of any object.
6The rear structure of an aircraft, the empennage.
7The visible stream of dust and gases blown from a comet by the solar wind.
8The latter part of a time period or event, or (collectively) persons or objects represented in this part.
9The part of a distribution most distant from the mode.
10One who surreptitiously follows another.
11The lower order of batsmen in the batting order, usually specialist bowlers.
12The lower loop of the letters in the Roman alphabet, as in g, q or y.
13The side of a coin not bearing the head
14Ormally the side on which the monetary value of the coin is indicated
15The reverse.
16All the last terms of a sequence, from some term on.
17The buttocks or backside.
18The penis of a person or animal.
19Sexual intercourse.
20The stern
21The back of the kayak.
22A train or company of attendants
23A retinue.
24The distal tendon of a muscle.
25A filamentous projection on the tornal section of each hind wing of certain butterflies.
26A downy or feathery appendage of certain achens, formed of the permanent elongated style.
27A portion of an incision, at its beginning or end, which does not go through the whole thickness of the skin, and is more painful than a complete incision
28Called also tailing.
29One of the strips at the end of a bandage formed by splitting the bandage one or more times.
30A rope spliced to the strap of a block, by which it may be lashed to anything.
31The part of a note which runs perpendicularly upward or downward from the head
32The stem.
33A tailing.
34The bottom or lower portion of a member or part such as a slate or tile.
35A tailcoat.
36Synonym of pigtail (“a short length of twisted electrical wire”).
37The final fraction of a distillation run, typically containing impurities and fusel oils.
38To hold by the end
39Said of a timber when it rests upon a wall or other support
40With in or into
41To swing with the stern in a certain direction
42Said of a vessel at anchor.
43To follow or hang to, like a tail
44To be attached closely to, as that which can not be evaded.
45To follow and observe surreptitiously.
46To pull or draw by the tail.
47Limited
48Abridged
49Reduced
50Curtailed.
51Limitation of inheritance to certain heirs.
52A Chinese constellation coinciding with the tail of Scorpius, one of the 28 lunar mansions and the tail of Azure Dragon.
About synonyms for tail
Finding the right synonym for tail helps writers avoid repetition and add precision to their work. Defined as "The caudal appendage of an animal that is attached to their posterior and near the anus or cloaca.", tail has 3 alternatives that can fit different contexts and tones.
Each synonym carries a slightly different shade of meaning. Empennage is the most direct replacement in most situations. Shadow works well in formal or professional contexts. Shadower is often preferred when the context calls for a more specific or nuanced expression.
When choosing a synonym, consider the connotation, formality level, and audience. Some alternatives work better in casual conversation while others shine in academic or professional writing. For example, using a more formal synonym in a business email can elevate your tone, while a casual synonym might feel more natural in creative writing or dialogue.
It is also worth noting that not all synonyms are perfectly interchangeable. The context of your sentence, the surrounding words, and the intended emotional impact all play a role in selecting the best alternative. The list above provides the most common and useful replacements for tail, but always read your sentence aloud to ensure the chosen word flows naturally.