nail
/neɪl/
NOUN
1. A hard protective plate at the ends of fingers and toes
The thin, hard, horny plate covering the ends of human fingers and toes and serving to protect the underlying tissue.
1.1. Fingernails and toenails
Refers to the hard protective plates that grow at the ends of fingers and toes.
Synonyms
- fingernail
- toenail
- nail plate
Examples
- She broke a nail while opening the package.
- The doctor examined the patient's fingernails for signs of damage.
- He trimmed his toenails before going swimming.
Related Words
- cuticle
- nail bed
- nail matrix
- lunula
- nail tip
- nail growth
1.2. Claws and horny plates on animals
Refers to the hard, pointed or protective structures at the ends of the toes or digits of birds and other animals.
Synonyms
- claw
- talon
Examples
- The eagle used its sharp nails to grip the prey.
- The animal's nails helped it climb rough surfaces.
- The bird's powerful talons were adapted for catching prey.
Related Words
- beak
- hoof
- digit
- keratin
- horn
- toe
NOUN
2. A pointed metal fastener
A small, slender metal spike with a pointed end and a head, driven into materials to fasten or join them together.
2.1. Metal fasteners for joining materials
Refers to pointed metal fasteners used with a hammer or similar tool to attach pieces of wood or other materials.
Synonyms
- spike
- tack
- brad
- pin
Examples
- The carpenter drove a nail into the wooden frame.
- She used a small tack to secure the fabric to the board.
- The old wooden crate was held together with rusty nails.
Related Words
VERB
3. To fasten something with nails
To attach or secure an object to another object by driving a nail or similar fastener through it.
3.1. Attaching and securing objects
Used when joining or fastening materials together with nails or similar fasteners.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- He nailed the wooden boards together to build a fence.
- The carpenter nailed the picture frame to the wall.
- They used small nails to secure the decorative panels.
Related Words
3.2. Covering or decorating with nails
Used when fitting, studding, or ornamenting a surface with nails or nail-like projections.
Synonyms
- stud
- spike
- boss
- studded
Examples
- The craftsman nailed decorative metal studs along the leather strap.
- The wooden door was studded with ornamental nails.
- The designer used metal spikes to decorate the surface.
Related Words
- ornament
- decoration
- metalwork
- studding
- spikes
- rivets
VERB
4. To catch, capture, or arrest someone
To catch or take someone into custody, especially by successfully locating and apprehending a person.
4.1. Capturing and apprehending someone
Used when successfully catching, seizing, or arresting a person, particularly someone suspected of committing a crime.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- The police finally nailed the suspect after months of investigation.
- Investigators worked together to nail the person responsible for the theft.
- The detectives managed to apprehend the criminal before he could escape.
Related Words
- custody
- detention
- incarceration
- imprisonment
- police
- suspect
- law enforcement
VERB
5. To expose something as false or fraudulent
To reveal that a claim, deception, or supposed achievement is false, dishonest, or misleading.
5.1. Exposing deception and false claims
Used when revealing a sham, discrediting a false claim, or uncovering dishonest behavior.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- conceal
- camouflage
- cloak
- disguise
- hide
- mask
Examples
- The journalist nailed the fraudulent claims in her investigation.
- The report exposed the company's misleading advertising practices.
- Investigators uncovered the deception behind the elaborate scheme.
Related Words
VERB
6. To accomplish something successfully
To perform or complete a task, performance, or activity very successfully and accurately.
6.1. Doing something perfectly or successfully
Used informally when someone performs a task exceptionally well or achieves the desired result.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- She nailed the difficult dance routine on her first attempt.
- He nailed the job interview with confident and thoughtful answers.
- The chef nailed the recipe despite the complicated instructions.
Related Words
- achievement
- success
- mastery
- performance
- execution
- accomplishment
- completion
VERB
7. To hit a target accurately or forcefully
To strike or hit a person, object, or target effectively, often with considerable force or precision.
7.1. Striking and hitting a target
Used when hitting someone or something with a weapon, object, or physical force, particularly with accuracy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- miss
- avoid
- dodge
Examples
- The baseball player nailed the ball with a powerful swing.
- The boxer nailed his opponent with a sharp punch.
- The arrow struck the target near its center.
Related Words
VERB
8. To make something certain or firmly establish it
To settle, confirm, or establish something conclusively, leaving little room for uncertainty or disagreement.
8.1. Confirming and establishing facts or details
Used when making a decision, fact, arrangement, or detail definite and certain.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- confuse
- muddle
- misunderstand
- unsettle
Examples
- The two companies nailed down the terms of the agreement.
- We need to confirm the date before making the announcement.
- The investigation helped establish exactly what had happened.
Related Words
- confirmation
- certainty
- agreement
- decision
- determination
- clarification
- verification
VERB
9. To engage in sexual intercourse
A vulgar or informal slang use meaning to have sexual intercourse with someone.
9.1. Sexual intercourse
Used as crude slang to describe having sexual intercourse with another person.
Synonyms
- have sex with
- sleep with
- bed
- have intercourse with
Examples
- The slang expression was used crudely to describe having sex with someone.
- The character bragged about sleeping with someone he had recently met.
- The phrase is considered vulgar in many social settings.
Related Words
- sexual activity
- intercourse
- intimacy
- sexual relations
NOUN
10. An archaic unit of length
A historical English unit of length equal to one twentieth of an ell or one sixteenth of a yard, measuring approximately 2.25 inches or 5.715 centimeters.
10.1. Historical measurement of length
Refers to an obsolete English unit of measurement formerly used for measuring length, especially in textile contexts.
Synonyms
- two and a quarter inches
- 5.715 centimeters
Examples
- The historical document specified a nail as part of the required cloth measurement.
- An old textile measurement system included the nail as a unit of length.
- The nail was equivalent to one sixteenth of a yard.