long tail

British  

noun

1. commerce the segment of a market representing the large number of products that sell in small quantities, considered by some to be of greater financial value than the few products that sell in very large quantities

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Etymology

Origin of long tail

C21: from the appearance of typical sales patterns on a graph

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

long tail

Bain described a “K-shaped” market in private equity, with “elite funds” continuing to perform well while the long tail of other funds “muddles through.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 25, 2026

Colbert was given a pink slip with a long tail this year.

From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2025

Charlie Puth, “Changes” The long tail of “Sob Rock.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2025

Stokes used himself as the fifth bowler, firstly snuffing out any suggestion of an Australia fightback then running through the long tail.

From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2025

Its long tail whipped behind it as it ran; a row of spines stretched from its head to the tip of its tail, colored gold and reddish gold.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack