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tai

1 American  
[tahy] / taɪ /

noun

plural

tai

  1. any of several sparoid fishes of the Pacific Ocean, as Pagrus major red tai, a food fish of Japan.

Tai 2 American  
[tahy, tah-ee] / taɪ, ˈtɑ i /

noun

  1. a group of languages spoken in SE Asia, including Thai, Lao, and Shan.

  2. Thai.

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Tai.

  2. Thai.

TAI 1 British  

abbreviation

  1. International Atomic Time

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Tai 2 British  
/ taɪ /

adjective

  1. a variant spelling of Thai

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tai

1615–25; < Japanese ta ( w ) i, earlier tafi

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.

And now, in addition to dance, I’m signing up for a tai chi class.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

"I've tried antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, benzos, sleeping pills and stimulants, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy... tai chi, reiki, meditation, veganism, art therapy and music therapy," the former stand-up comedian said.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Exercises which strengthen the muscles include yoga, lifting weights, tai chi, sit-ups, energetic gardening and carrying heavy shopping bags.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

Wee soccer players squeal past a cluster of seniors practicing tai chi.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2025

He was across a crowded street from them, beneath the awning of a tai lor’s shop.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

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.