tactless
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tactless
Explanation
To be tactless is to either be rude (without manners) or inept (without finesse). Either way, it's awkward. Since people with tact are polite and respectful, tactless people are the opposite: rude and ill-mannered. Interrupting is tactless. Wearing a baseball hat in church is tactless. Not holding the door for someone is tactless. This word has to do with other graces besides social graces too. Being clumsy or lacking in judgment can also be called tactless, and an employee who constantly botches his job and never understands why is also tactless.
Vocabulary lists containing tactless
Common Senses: Tact, Tang ("Touch")
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The Diary of a Young Girl
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A Doll's House
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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.
In 2016’s The Mandibles, she created a character whom she described as a “pure piss-take” of herself: belligerent, tactless, a maniacal exerciser–the Ur-Boomer, utterly self-absorbed and an unalloyed financial disaster for society.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026
By Alan, of course, he is referring to his much-loved and often quoted comedy creation, Alan Partridge - the tactless, self-absorbed and self-styled presenter.
From BBC • Sep. 30, 2025
“I know it’s tradition to be happy on Purim, but this year I think it’s tactless to do these carnivals,” said David Heyd.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 25, 2024
But Locklear and other women at the sessions saw the remark as tactless considering the setting.
From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2022
Our tactless mother, especially, only made things go from bad to worse.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
