tactful

[ takt-fuhl ]
See synonyms for tactful on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. having or manifesting tact: a tactful person;a tactful reply.

Origin of tactful

1
First recorded in 1860–65; tact + -ful

synonym study For tactful

Other words from tactful

  • tact·ful·ly, adverb
  • tact·ful·ness, noun
  • un·tact·ful, adjective
  • un·tact·ful·ly, adverb

Words Nearby tactful

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use tactful in a sentence

  • But she was a very tactful person and was about to drop the subject, when Isabel slowly turned her eyes.

    Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
  • He had tried to soften his reply, but not being politic or tactful had succeeded only in expressing himself more brusquely.

    Dorothy at Skyrie | Evelyn Raymond
  • This, or else a tactful absenteeism, became their custom whenever licencing matters came up to be discussed.

    Mushroom Town | Oliver Onions
  • He felt he had not been tactful, but he was very tired, and if he ventured an explanation might make things worse.

    The Girl From Keller's | Harold Bindloss
  • No one knew how to flatter in so tactful a manner, particularly in portraits of ladies.