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

Her forehead was bound with a purple rag, and her hair hung like thin gray tails around her face.

From Literature

Some golden lines swirled in rings, like puppies who chased their own tails.

From Literature

But gator tails do move, Chase discovered, like armored whips.

From Literature

Suddenly, the Irish tails were up and replacement prop Michael Milne burrowed over.

From Barron's

Skunks spray an oily liquid from glands underneath their tails as a defense.

From Literature

Related Words

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