tail

1.1. Anatomical appendage

The appendage extending from the hindquarters of an animal, such as a dog, cat, or squirrel.

Synonyms

• caudal appendage
• hind appendage

Examples

• The cat flicked its tail in annoyance.
• The squirrel scampered up the tree with its bushy tail held high.

Related Words

• hindquarters
• rump
• vertebrae
• fur
• feathers

1.2. Bird's tail feathers

The feathers growing at the rear of a bird's body, which help with steering, balance, and flight.

Synonyms

• rectrices
• tail feathers

Examples

• The peacock spread its colorful tail feathers to attract a mate.

Related Words

• flight feathers
• plumage
• pygostyle
• wing feathers

2.1. Back end of an object

The rear section or extremity of an object, vehicle, aircraft, or other structure.

Synonyms

• rear
• back end
• stern
• rear end
• hind part

Antonyms

• front
• forepart

Examples

• The aircraft's tail was damaged during the landing.

Related Words

• aft
• backside
• extremity
• rearward

2.2. Final section or ending

The last portion of a sequence, event, period, or written or spoken work.

Synonyms

• end
• tail end
• last part
• final section

Antonyms

• beginning
• start

Examples

• We arrived at the tail end of the concert.

Related Words

• conclusion
• ending
• remainder
• finale

2.3. Lower loop of a letter

The descending curved stroke or loop extending below the main body of certain lowercase letters.

Synonyms

• descender

Examples

• The tail of the letter g extended below the baseline.

Related Words

• letterform
• typography
• glyph
• baseline

2.4. Rear of a kayak or boat

The back end or stern of a kayak, canoe, or other watercraft.

Synonyms

• stern
• aft

Antonyms

• bow

Examples

• The kayak's tail swung around as the paddler changed direction.

Related Words

• hull
• paddle
• rudder
• watercraft

3.1. Comet's luminous trail

The visible stream of dust and gas extending behind a comet as it travels through space.

Synonyms

• cometary trail
• cometary plume

Examples

• The comet displayed a bright tail as it passed through the night sky.

Related Words

• solar wind
• coma
• dust
• gas

3.2. Trailing extension

A long, narrow part or projection that hangs, trails, or extends behind an object, such as a kite or garment.

Synonyms

• train
• trailing extension

Examples

• The kite had a long, colorful tail that fluttered in the wind.

Related Words

• ribbon
• streamer
• fringe
• appendage

4.1. Surveillance and secret following

A person assigned to follow another individual discreetly, often to gather information or monitor their activities.

Synonyms

• shadow
• tracker
• surveillance agent
• pursuer

Examples

• The detective noticed a tail following him through the crowded streets.

Related Words

• surveillance
• investigation
• observation
• stakeout
• detective

5.1. Last members of a group

The people or participants bringing up the rear of a procession, group, or formation.

Synonyms

• rear
• rear guard
• last group

Antonyms

• vanguard
• forefront

Examples

• The tail of the procession moved slowly through the narrow street.

Related Words

• procession
• retinue
• entourage
• formation

5.2. Lower-order cricket batsmen

The batsmen at the bottom of a cricket team's batting order, typically including specialist bowlers.

Synonyms

• lower order
• tailenders

Antonyms

• top order
• opening batsmen

Examples

• The team's tail failed to add many runs after the top-order collapse.

Related Words

• batsman
• bowler
• batting order
• wicket

6.1. Coin toss

The reverse side of a coin, selected as one of the two possible outcomes when tossing a coin.

Synonyms

• reverse
• reverse side

Antonyms

• heads
• obverse

Examples

• She called tails before the coin landed on the table.

Related Words

• coin
• toss
• denomination
• obverse

7.1. Informal reference to the backside

An informal or colloquial use referring to a person's buttocks or posterior.

Synonyms

• buttocks
• rump
• rear end
• behind
• bottom
• derriere

Examples

• The child sat down hard on his tail after slipping on the ice.

Related Words

• hips
• pelvis
• seat
• posterior

8.1. Retinue or accompanying entourage

A group of attendants, servants, or followers accompanying a prominent person.

Synonyms

• retinue
• entourage
• suite
• cortege

Examples

• The royal visitor arrived with a large tail of attendants.

Related Words

• attendant
• escort
• chaperone
• staff

9.1. Musical notation stem

The vertical line attached to a notehead in written music, indicating its rhythmic position and helping identify the note's notation.

Synonyms

• stem

Examples

• The tail of the note extended downward from its notehead.

Related Words

• notehead
• staff
• clef
• musical notation

10.1. Secretly tracking someone

Following a person without their knowledge, usually to monitor where they go or what they do.

Synonyms

• shadow
• stalk
• trail
• track
• follow

Antonyms

• avoid
• evade

Examples

• The private investigator was hired to tail the suspect.

Related Words

• surveil
• monitor
• observe
• pursue

11.1. Following closely behind

Remaining close behind a person or object while it moves from one place to another.

Synonyms

• follow
• trail
• tag along
• accompany

Antonyms

• lead
• precede

Examples

• The small boat continued to tail the larger vessel.

Related Words

• pursue
• shadow
• follow behind
• keep up

11.2. Remaining attached to an object

Being connected or fastened at one end to another object or support.

Synonyms

• attach
• fasten
• connect

Antonyms

• detach
• separate

Examples

• The timber was tailed into the supporting wall.

Related Words

• splice
• secure
• binding
• connection

12.1. Reduced or curtailed

Describing something that has been shortened, restricted, or reduced from its original extent.

Synonyms

• limited
• abridged
• reduced
• curtailed
• shortened

Antonyms

• extended
• expanded
• unlimited

Examples

• The report was published in a tail version after the original was shortened.

Related Words

• restriction
• reduction
• abbreviation
• truncation