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

My eyes picked Karel immediately from the crowd in front of the church, dressed in top hat and tails as were all the male guests, but incomparably the handsomest there.

From Literature

Since long before the Light he’d been nosing them and biting their tails -but they still didn’t move.

From Literature

At the end of long straights, the energy tails off and the speed drops, long before the driver brakes for the corner.

From BBC

The rest of the team were dragging their tails.

From Literature

He shouted as he rode, the tails at his coat flapping against his boots, his riding crop in his hand.

From Literature

Related Words

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