tails

[teylz]

adjective

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

   On the next toss, the coin came up tails.

noun

1. tailcoat.

tails

/ teɪlz /

plural noun

1. an informal name for tail coat

interjection

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tails¹

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

Example Sentences

Seeing these dead beasts suspended by their tails elicited a "gallows-like" feeling, he recounts, but not fear.

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Asked what the flamboyant star would have worn, his bandmate replied: "I think it would be formal. He wouldn't do the short shorts or the leotard. He'd be in tails, very elegant."

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Still, ”everybody is really, really working their tails off to put this fire out just as soon as they can,” he said.

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Aside from the timing, this is a 'heads it's awkward, tails it's awkward' situation for the prime minister.

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Fijian tails were up until Orr pounced on a loose ball to turn defence into attack.

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Related Words

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