OpenSynonym

tack

/tæk/

NOUN

1. A small nail with a flat head

A short nail with a broad, flat head, used to fasten objects to a surface.

1.1. Small fastening nail

A short nail with a flat or broad head used to secure materials, especially in furniture, upholstery, or other light fastening work.

Synonyms

  • thumbtack
  • pushpin
  • drawing pin

Examples

  • The carpenter used a hammer to drive the tack firmly into the wooden surface.

Related Words

NOUN

2. A temporary stitch used to hold fabric together

A loose or temporary stitch used to hold pieces of cloth in position before permanent sewing.

2.1. Temporary sewing stitch

A provisional stitch used to keep fabric pieces aligned before they are sewn permanently.

Synonyms

  • basting stitch
  • temporary stitch
  • baste

Examples

  • She used a temporary tack to hold the fabric in place before sewing the final seam.

Related Words

  • seam
  • stitch
  • sewing
  • thread

NOUN

3. A direction or course of action

A particular approach, direction, or line of action adopted to achieve something.

3.1. Approach or strategy

A method or strategy chosen to deal with a situation, especially when changing from one approach to another.

Synonyms

  • approach
  • strategy
  • course
  • method
  • line of action
  • plan

Examples

  • In the meeting, the manager decided to change the project's direction and take a new tack.

Related Words

NOUN

4. A sailing course or maneuver

A course sailed by a vessel relative to the wind, or the maneuver of turning its bow through the wind to change the side from which the wind fills its sails.

4.1. Sailing direction or heading

The direction in which a sailing vessel travels in relation to the wind while sailing upwind.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The sailor deftly adjusted the sails by changing the tack.

Related Words

4.2. Turning maneuver through the wind

The maneuver in which a sailing vessel turns its bow through the wind so that the wind shifts from one side of the sails to the other.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The crew prepared for a tack as the boat approached the wind.

Related Words

NOUN

5. Equipment used with horses

The equipment and accessories used when riding, handling, or working with a horse.

5.1. Horse riding equipment

The collective equipment fitted to a horse, including saddles, bridles, reins, and harnesses.

Synonyms

  • horse gear
  • riding equipment
  • equestrian equipment

Examples

  • The stable worker cleaned the horse's tack after the ride.

Related Words

NOUN

6. The adhesive quality of a substance

The degree to which a substance is sticky and tends to adhere to another surface.

6.1. Stickiness and adhesion

The ability of a material or compound to stick to another surface, particularly when it is first applied or pressed into contact.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The adhesive's tack made it easy to attach the label to the package.

Related Words

NOUN

7. Food or provisions

Food or provisions, especially simple food such as bread.

7.1. Food and provisions

Food supplied or eaten as provisions, particularly basic or plain fare.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The sailors were grateful for a fresh supply of tack after days at sea.

Related Words

NOUN

8. An addition or supplement

Something attached or added to another thing as an extra part or supplement.

8.1. Additional item or attachment

An extra item, section, or document added to an existing object, work, or arrangement.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The editor added a short tack to the end of the document.

Related Words

  • annex
  • attachment
  • appendage
  • extension

NOUN

9. A contract for the use of property

An agreement under which the use of something is granted to another person for payment; a lease.

9.1. Lease or hiring agreement

A contractual arrangement that allows someone to use property or an item for an agreed period in return for payment.

Synonyms

  • lease
  • rental agreement
  • hiring agreement

Related Words

NOUN

10. A stain or peculiar flavor

A mark, stain, or distinctive unpleasant taste or flavor.

10.1. Stain or discoloration

A visible mark or stain on a surface or material.

Synonyms

Related Words

  • tache
  • mark
  • discoloration

10.2. Unusual or unpleasant flavor

A distinctive taste or flavor, especially one that is unpleasant or suggests contamination.

Synonyms

Related Words

NOUN

11. Something cheap or gaudy

An object or decoration that is showy, tasteless, or cheaply made.

11.1. Tasteless or gaudy object

An inexpensive or flashy object considered vulgar, tasteless, or lacking in style.

Synonyms

Related Words

VERB

12. To fasten with a small nail

To attach something by driving a small, flat-headed nail into it.

12.1. Fastening with a tack

To secure an object or material to a surface using a small nail with a flat head.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • He tacked the notice to the wooden board.

Related Words

  • attach
  • secure
  • fix
  • staple

VERB

13. To sew with temporary stitches

To join pieces of fabric temporarily with loose stitches before sewing them permanently.

13.1. Temporary sewing

To hold fabric pieces together with provisional stitches so they remain in position during fitting or before final sewing.

Synonyms

  • baste
  • stitch
  • sew temporarily

Examples

  • She tacked the two pieces of fabric together before stitching the seam.

Related Words

  • hem
  • seam
  • sewing
  • thread

VERB

14. To change direction while sailing

To maneuver a sailing vessel so that its bow passes through the wind and the sails change from one side to the other.

14.1. Sailing through the wind

To turn a sailing vessel across the wind in order to change its direction while continuing to sail.

Synonyms

  • change course
  • turn through the wind

Examples

  • The crew tacked repeatedly to make progress against the wind.

Related Words

VERB

15. To add something as an extra

To add or attach something to an existing item, arrangement, or statement.

15.1. Adding an extra item

To include something additional with an existing object, document, agreement, or plan.

Synonyms

  • add
  • append
  • attach
  • annex
  • supplement

Examples

  • The committee decided to tack an extra condition onto the agreement.

Related Words

VERB

16. To put riding equipment on a horse

To equip a horse with a saddle, bridle, and other riding gear.

16.1. Equipping a horse

To place a saddle, bridle, or other riding equipment on a horse in preparation for riding or work.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The stable hand tacked up the horse before the morning ride.

Related Words

  • bridle
  • mount
  • stirrup
  • rein