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tail

tail

29 2.0
The last part of a period or event
  • noun
  • /teɪl/
: final
  • An older man, coming out, caught the tail end of the beggar's harangue.
  • the tail end
  • long tail
  • twist in the tail

Read an article called The Tail End by Tim Urban.

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Examples

  • Could it have been the tail end of a strange car? I thought so.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • But as of today, we're on the tail of this pandemic.

  • We've been in its tail for almost twelve hours.

  • The United States is about to enter a fiscal trap, chasing its tail just to pay off its creditors.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The team celebrated as they reached the tail end of their project, completing it ahead of schedule.

  • At the tail end of summer, many families take vacations before school starts.

  • The presentation was engaging, especially during the tail end when the speaker shared personal anecdotes.

Synonyms

end
vstail
∞ 1.0

The final part of something, like an event or story

is a casual way to point to that final section
ending
vstail
393 1.0

The final part of something, like an event, story, or relationship

focuses more on the final section within a time span
finale
vstail
166 3.6

The last, most exciting part of a show or event

means the ordinary final part without stressing drama
finish
vstail
78 1.0

The final part of an event or activity

names the last part of a period rather than the act of finishing
52 4.1

The point when something stops or finishes

is about the later part of a period rather than a stopping point
tail end
vstail
16 3.5

The last part of something, especially a period or event

is the everyday phrase for that final part
end point
vstail
16 3.9

The place or moment when something finishes

refers more to the last section of a time or event
endpoint
vstail
8 5.4

A place or time when something ends

emphasizes the final part within a longer period or event
termination
vstail
2 5.5

The end point of something like a road or tunnel

is the common phrase for the last portion within a timeframe
final period
vstail
1 3.6

The last part of a period of time, for example a school year or concert

is a simpler everyday name for that final segment
fag end
vstail
  • UK
1 9.9

The last small part of something often thought less important

is neutral about value, naming the final part plainly
tag end
vstail
1 7.3

A small piece left at the very end of cloth or ribbon

covers the usual final part of a period rather than a scrap
terminus ad quem
vstail
  • Formal
1 9.9

The last date when something must happen

is the everyday phrase for the last part without legal formality

Idioms

11 7.9

To follow someone closely and keep bothering them

4 8.4

A small, unimportant part that controls the whole thing

1 8.8

Beat someone by a lot

1 7.5

To keep doing the same task without getting anywhere

To feel very successful and have control of your life

A very short time that means something will happen soon

1 7.7

To waste time on busy work and make no progress

Compounds

16 3.5

The last part of something, especially a period or event

9 3.3

A tail that is long and helps an animal or kite keep balance

8 2.4

A feather that grows on a bird's tail

7 3.3

The tail meat of a lobster that people eat

4 3.0

A deer with white fur under its tail

tail rotor
  • Specialized
4 6.8

A small spinning blade at the tail of a helicopter that keeps it from spinning

long tail
  • Specialized
4 4.9

A market where many rare items, each sold in small numbers, together make a large part of sales

4 3.7

A part that sticks out at the back of something like an animal's rear

piece of tail
  • Offensive
3 9.9

Someone treated only for sex, not as a real person

tail fin
  • Archaic
2 6.4

A decorative metal piece on a car's rear that looks like a small wing

1 2.8

A tail that curves into a small spiral

tail bone
  • Specialized
1 3.6

The small bone at the very end of the spine

tail fin
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A vertical surface at the plane's tail that helps keep it steady in flight

1 3.1

A flat fin at a fish's rear used to push and steer it in water

tail coat
  • Formal
1 4.5

A formal evening jacket for men with a short front and long tails at the back

vertical tail
  • Specialized
1 6.0

The upright fin on a plane's tail that keeps it pointed straight

1 1.0

A tail moving from side to side to show happiness or excitement

1 2.3

A red light at the back of a car that shows it to drivers behind

rat-tail file
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A thin metal tool with a round taper used to smooth small round holes and curves

1 8.2

A long thin white cloud high in the sky that looks like a horse's tail

1 2.1

A strip attached to the end of a kite to keep it steady in the air

tail assembly
  • Specialized
1 7.0

The rear part of a plane that helps it stay steady and turn

1 9.9

A plant that grows near water with long curved spikes of small white flowers

X-tail
  • Specialized
1 9.8

A tail design for an aircraft with four moving parts in an X shape that help control its direction

horizontal tail
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A flat surface at the tail of a plane that keeps the nose level and controls up-and-down movement

A tropical American plant with long, hanging stems and bright red flowers

1 8.5

A tall marsh plant with a brown sausage-shaped seed head and long flat leaves used for making mats and seats

fee tail
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A way of owning land that passes only to family and cannot be sold

A small brown and white moth whose caterpillars eat the leaves of fruit and shade trees

brush-tail porcupine
  • Specialized
9.9

A large animal with sharp spines and a brush of stiff hairs at the end of its tail

A wild pigeon from western North America that is larger than city pigeons

lizard's-tail family
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of herbs that have a strong smell and live for many years

A small flying insect with a white furry body and a yellow tuft at the tail

9.9

A small brown tree shrew from Malaysia with a bare tail fringed by stiff hairs at the tip

9.9

A tropical plant with large bright leaves and a long showy flower spike

9.9

A large brown bird with long, pointed tail feathers that lives in open grasslands

How Final

finale
166 3.6
end
∞ 1.0
tail
29 2.0
middle
∞ 1.0
beginning
30 1.0

Surface Forms

tail singular
tails plural

Etymology

The word tail also means the last part of something because a tail is the 'end' or back of an animal. So the tail of a meeting, storm, or holiday is its final part.