tail
gb/tˈeɪl/ us/tˈeɪl/
A1
English
~ 2700
farok, hátsó rész, farokrész, követ, titokban követ, csóva, követő, megfigyelő
NOUN
A1
1
farok
A2
Usage pattern:
[animal] has a [adjective] tail
The cat flicked its tail in annoyance.
A macska bosszúsan csapkodta a farkát.
A fox has a long, bushy tail.
A rókának hosszú, bozontos farka van.
The dog's tail wagged happily when it saw its owner.
The lizard can drop its tail to escape predators.
Learner examples
The dog has a short tail.
A kutyának rövid farka van.
The cat moves its tail.
A macska mozgatja a farkát.
The monkey uses its tail to hold things.
A horse has a long tail.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tail' with 'tale', which means a story.
Meaning
Rear part of an animal's body
Collocations
wag tail
|long tail
|bushy tail
|short tail
|animal tail
Synonyms
appendage (A more general and technical term for any external body part.)
Antonyms
head (The opposite end of an animal's body in orientation.)
Themes
animals
|biology
|daily life
|body
Definition
The part that sticks out from the back of an animal's body.
The long, flexible part extending from the back end of an animal's body, often used for balance, communication, or movement.
NOUN
A2
2
hátsó rész
A2
farokrész
B2
Usage pattern:
the tail of [something]
The plane's tail was damaged during landing.
A repülőgép farokrésze megsérült leszállás közben.
He loaded the luggage into the tail of the truck.
Berakta a csomagokat a teherautó hátuljába.
A bright logo was painted on the helicopter's tail.
Learner examples
The car has a light on its tail.
Az autó hátulján van egy lámpa.
The tail of the plane is very big.
A repülőgép farokrésze nagyon nagy.
We stand near the tail of the bus.
Meaning
Back end of a vehicle or object
Collocations
tail section
|plane tail
|car tail
Synonyms
rear (Refers generally to the back part but not limited to vehicles.)
Antonyms
front (The opposite end of an object or vehicle.)
Themes
transportation
|technology
Definition
The back part of a car, plane, or other object.
The rear section of a vehicle, aircraft, or similar object.
VERB
B1
3
követ
A2
Usage pattern:
to tail [someone/something]
The detective tailed the suspect through the crowded streets.
A nyomozó feltűnés nélkül követte a gyanúsítottat a zsúfolt utcákon át.
A black car has been tailing us for miles.
Egy fekete autó már kilométerek óta követ minket.
Journalists tailed the celebrity after the event.
Learner examples
The police tail the car.
A rendőrök követik az autót.
I see a man tailing us.
Látom, hogy egy férfi követ minket.
They tail the thief.
Meaning
Follow closely behind
Collocations
tail a suspect
|police tail
|tail someone home
Synonyms
follow (A general term meaning to go after someone, not necessarily closely or secretly.)
Antonyms
lead (To go in front rather than following.)
Themes
movement
|surveillance
|core_vocabulary
|law
Definition
To go behind someone and follow them closely.
To follow someone or something closely, often secretly or to watch them.
NOUN
B1
4
Usage pattern:
the tail of [object]
The comet's bright tail stretched across the night sky.
Az üstökös fényes csóvája végighúzódott az éjszakai égbolton.
She tied ribbons to the kite's tail.
Szalagokat kötött a papírsárkány farkára.
Smoke formed a long tail behind the rocket.
Learner examples
The kite has a long tail.
A papírsárkánynak hosszú farka van.
I see the comet's tail.
Látom az üstökös csóváját.
The rocket leaves a smoke tail.
Meaning
End part extending from something
Collocations
comet tail
|kite tail
Synonyms
extension (General term for something that extends outward.)
Themes
objects
|shape
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something thin that comes out from the end of something else.
A part that sticks out at the end of something, resembling an animal's tail in shape or position.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
5
követő
B1
megfigyelő
B2
We need to lose our tail before we meet the contact.
Le kell ráznunk a követőnket, mielőtt találkozunk az összekötővel.
The spy realized he had a tail.
A kém rájött, hogy egy megfigyelő van a nyomában.
They switched cars to shake off their tails.
Learner examples
He has a tail from the police.
A rendőrség megfigyelőt állított rá.
They see a man as their tail.
Észreveszik, hogy egy férfi követi őket.
We run fast to lose our tail.
Meaning
Person following secretly
Collocations
lose a tail
|have a tail
Synonyms
follower (General term; does not imply secrecy.)
Themes
crime
|security
|law
Definition
A person who goes after someone to watch them secretly.
A person who follows someone secretly, usually for surveillance purposes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tail
IPA
GB/tˈeɪl/
US/tˈeɪl/
Syllables & stress
tail (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tail)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tail
- Plural: tail, tails
Verb
- Base: tail
- 3rd Person Singular: tails
- Present Participle: tailing
- Past: tailed
Word family
Forms
tails
noun
tailing
verb
tailed
verb
Related words
ponytail
noun
tailgate
noun
Negative and opposite forms
tailless
adjective
Advanced or less common
tailback
noun
tailwind
noun
Expressions
on someone's tail
1/ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌnz tˈeɪl/
idiom
informal
Closely following someone in pursuit
To be very close behind someone when chasing them.
Examples
- The police were on his tail after the robbery.
- I've had debt collectors on my tail for weeks.
tail end
1/tˈeɪl ˈɛnd/
fixed phrase
Final part of something in time or sequence
The last part of something.
Examples
- We caught the tail end of the concert.
- I joined the meeting at the tail end of the discussion.
tail off
1/tˈeɪl ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Gradually decrease in strength or amount
To slowly get weaker or smaller.
Examples
- His voice tailed off as he realized no one was listening.
- Sales tailed off towards the end of the year.
turn tail
1/tˈɚn tˈeɪl/
idiom
Flee quickly from danger or confrontation
To run away quickly from danger or trouble.
Examples
- The soldiers turned tail when they saw the enemy reinforcements.
- He turned tail and ran when the dog barked.
with one's tail between one's legs
1/wˈɪθ wˈʌnz tˈeɪl bɪtwˈin wˈʌnz lˈɛɡz/
idiom
informal
Feeling ashamed after defeat or humiliation
Feeling bad and ashamed because you lost or failed.
Examples
- He came back with his tail between his legs after losing the match.
- She returned with her tail between her legs after being proved wrong.