tactful

[ takt-fuhl ]

/ ˈtækt fəl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: tactful / tactfully / tactfulness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

having or manifesting tact: a tactful person;a tactful reply.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of tactful

First recorded in 1860–65; tact + -ful

tact·ful·ly, adverbtact·ful·ness, nounun·tact·ful, adjectiveun·tact·ful·ly, adverb

In Connecticut, the proceedings went off less tactfully when gun enthusiasts began shouting “the Second Amendment!”
Week in Review: Cheat Sheet to the Week’s Big News (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To keep things from getting awkward, we offer tips on how to tactfully fill uncomfortable silences, toast each other, and more.
Romney and Obama’s First Lunch: A Social Etiquette Guide|Kevin Fallon|November 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Asked whether Trierweiler's tweet hurt her chances, she demured, "I think it didn't help things, I would say, tactfully."
Thomas Hollande and the Tweet Rocking France|Tracy McNicoll|July 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
German Chancellor Angela Merkel tactfully describes the situation as an “extraordinary international crisis.”
And You Thought the Economy Was Scary?|Andrew Keen|March 7, 2009|DAILY BEAST

How can I (a) prevent the topic from coming up, and (b) tactfully move it aside if it does?
How to, Uh, Talk to People|Will Doig|December 23, 2008|DAILY BEAST
Tactfully, since Craig had planned and executed the rescue attempt, Higgins was making no effort to exert his own authority.
The Lost Warship|Robert Moore Williams
Here was Perdita approaching her tactfully, and timidly entreating her to do the very thing that was in her mind to accomplish.
The Beauty|Mrs. Wilson Woodrow
The little captain carried the conversation over, tactfully, to his favorite topic.
Glory of Youth|Temple Bailey
Anthony slurred over the greater question by tactfully emphasizing the lesser.
Glory of Youth|Temple Bailey
Old Mrs. Donegan talked freely of her neighbors after Mary had tactfully won her confidence.
Mary Ware's Promised Land|Annie Fellows Johnston