tail
noun
the hindmost part of an animal, especially that forming a distinct, flexible appendage to the back end of its body.
had tailed
-
past perfectof tail.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although his production had tailed off the past few years, Joey Bosa was a stalwart for this team since 2016, predating the club’s move to Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2025
Fletcher was batting .308 with two homers in 22 games, but his performance had tailed off recently.
From Washington Times ● May 27, 2023
Chinese warships had tailed McCain through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday during a "routine operation" that was done "in accordance with international law."
From Fox News ● Feb. 5, 2021
He went to the window, looking for the black Crown Vic that had tailed him as he’d walked home.
From The Verge ● Mar. 13, 2019
They had tailed Ministry workers on their way in, eavesdropped on their conversations, and learned by careful observation which of them could be relied upon to appear, alone, at the same time every day.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
