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

Explanation

To talk carefully without hurting anyone’s feelings, that’s tact. Politicians have tact, which makes them good at speaking about sensitive matters without making fools of themselves. At least, sometimes they have tact. Around a friend who’s afraid of snakes, you use tact when talking about reptiles because you don’t want to upset them. The Latin root word tangere means “touch,” and a person with tact avoids touching dangerous words like they are an electric fence. When you say something without tact, you “put your foot in your mouth,” as the phrase goes. You don’t literally put your foot in your mouth, although if you did you’d avoid offending people with words.

Example Sentences

Tact is also part of her broader strategy.

From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2022

Tact Bell: “This burrito — well, let’s just say that everyone in the kitchen tried their best.”

From Washington Post • Dec. 14, 2017

Tact is possible here, and effectiveness likely, but I’m afraid even the most tactful raising of the subject is going to hurt her feelings, at least initially.

From Slate • May 23, 2016

"Tact is one of the absolute requirements of a record producer," Martin agreed.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2016

Tact is for people too dumb to be sarcastic, it announced in huge white letters.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

Related Words

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