tact

American  

[takt] / tækt /

noun

1. a keen sense of what to say or do to avoid giving offense; skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situations.

   Synonyms:

   poise, diplomacy, sensitivity, perception

2. a keen sense of what is appropriate, tasteful, or aesthetically pleasing; taste; discrimination.

3. touch or the sense of touch.

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tact British  

/ tækt /

noun

1. a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others, so as to avoid giving offence or to win good will; discretion

2. skill or judgment in handling difficult or delicate situations; diplomacy

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Other Word Forms

• tactful adjective
• tactfully adverb
• tactfulness noun
• tactless adjective
• tactlessly adverb
• tactlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of tact

First recorded in 1150–1200; from Latin tāctus “sense of touch,” equivalent to tag-, variant stem of tangere “to touch” + -tus suffix of verbal action

Example Sentences

Prior to the loss to Sean Dyche's side there had been shoots of improvement, so with that said Sunday's loss is unlikely to prompt an immediate change of tact.

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2025

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., criticized the president for his lack of tact.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2025

The Oxnard team repaired and replaced necessary interior and exterior pieces while keeping the bus’ ’70s spirit in tact.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

What distinguishes Mr. Zipperstein’s volume—composed with the tact of a historian who has read the archives and the novels with equal care—is how deliberately it resists the temptations that have undone earlier efforts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

Ron got back off the bed, put his arm around her once more, and frowned at Harry as though reproaching him for lack of tact.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• common-sense
• discretion
• prudence
• refinement
• sensitivity
• subtlety