tails

American  

[teylz] / teɪlz /

adjective

1. (of a coin) with the reverse facing up.

   On the next toss, the coin came up tails.

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noun

1. tailcoat.

tails British  

/ teɪlz /

plural noun

1. an informal name for tail coat

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interjection

1. with the reverse side of a coin uppermost: used as a call before tossing a coin Compare heads

Etymology

Origin of tails

First recorded in 1675–85; tail ¹ + -s ¹

Example Sentences

Dodger and Elwood ran in circles in their pen, heads and tails up, ears swiveling, eyes darting back and forth.

From Literature

Mother stands on the rocky bank, above the stream where the pups cower, eyes wide and tails low, covered in mud.

From Literature

But, as Arteta said, there is a "long way" to go - and both City and Villa remain hot on Arsenal's tails.

From BBC

She went on to dance for many years, reaching what she said was "a decent standard", and even performed on stage in a top hat and tails.

From BBC

This matters because comets typically show two main tails, a dust tail that trails behind and a plasma tail that points away from the Sun.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• cloak
• frock
• jacket
• overcoat
• raincoat
• suit
• tuxedo
• windbreaker
• wrap