tack

1 of 4

verb

ˈtak 

tacked; tacking; tacks

transitive verb

1

: attach

tack on some sequins for pizzazz

especially : to fasten or affix with tacks

tack a notice to a pole

tacking down a stairway carpet

2

: to join or add in a slight or hasty manner

—usually used with on or onto

… the upbeat ending, tacked on to a book that cries out for a tragic one.

—Julian Symons

3

a

: to add as a supplement or something extra

—usually used with on or onto

tacked fees onto the price

The Marlins tacked on five runs in the bottom of the eighth …

—Buster Olney

b

: to add (a rider) to a parliamentary bill

provisions tacked to an appropriation bill

4

: to change the direction of (a sailing ship) when sailing close-hauled by turning the bow to the wind and shifting the sails so as to fall off on the other side at about the same angle as before

intransitive verb

1

a

: to tack a sailing ship

We tacked repeatedly as we sailed toward the harbor.

b

of a ship : to change to an opposite tack by turning the bow to the wind

a ship that tacks easily

c

: to follow a course against the wind by a series of tacks

Boredom was the chief enemy as the ships tacked to and fro.

—Nigel Calder

2

a

: to follow a zigzag course

tacked through the crowd

b

: to modify one's policy or attitude abruptly

With the coming of Ronald Reagan to power, Nixon tacked hard right—an old instinct.

—Sidney Blumenthal

tacker noun

tack

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: a small short sharp-pointed nail usually having a broad flat head

2

a

: the direction of a ship with respect to the trim of her sails

starboard tack

b

: the run of a sailing ship on one tack

c

: a change when close-hauled from the starboard to the port tack or vice versa

d

: a zigzag movement on land

e

: a course or method of action

especially : one sharply divergent from that previously followed

3

: any of various usually temporary stitches

4

: the lower forward corner of a fore-and-aft sail

5

: a sticky or adhesive quality or condition

tack

3 of 4

noun (2)

: stable gear

especially : articles of harness (such as saddle and bridle) for use on a saddle horse

tack

4 of 4

noun (3)

: hardtack sense 1

Did you know?

Do you change tack or tact?

Although some believe the word tact is short for tactics in phrases like "change tact" or "try a different tact," the correct word in such contexts is tack.

Tack in "change tack" and "try a different tack" means "a course or method of action especially when sharply divergent from that previously followed.”

Tack developed this meaning from its nautical applications. In sailing, tack can refer to the direction that a ship or boat is sailing in as it moves at an angle to the direction of the wind; or to a change from one direction to another direction; or to the distance traveled while sailing in a particular direction.

Tack developed the "course or method of action" meaning near the end of the 17th century; within 100 or so years, the phrase "change tack" was being used with the figurative meaning it has today.

While there is also a long history of people using tact where tack belongs, the use is widely shunned by usage guides, which means you might want to avoid it.

Synonyms

Verb

• add
• adjoin
• annex
• append
• subjoin

Noun (1)

• approach
• fashion
• form
• how
• manner
• method
• methodology
• recipe
• strategy
• style
• system
• tactics
• technique
• way

Examples of tack in a Sentence

Verb

She tacked a poster on the wall.

A message was tacked to the board.

We had to tack repeatedly as we sailed toward the harbor.

Noun (1)

this clearly isn't working, so let's take a different tack in trying to solve the problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In the world of cookbooks, this trend is reflected in recent titles that sometimes tack on -ish to signal a collection of recipes that deftly tiptoes between cultural appropriation and cultural exchange. —Kendra Nordin Beato, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2024

But now the actor has decided to plump up his real estate portfolio, this time tacking on a home in the East Hampton enclave of New York for three of his most cherished family members. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024

Noun

As with other demographic groups, experts said concerns about inflation, crime and immigration likely fueled the rightward tack among Asian American voters. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

This prompted the change in tack that resulted in the development of Reasoner. —David Meyer, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English takken, from tak

Noun (1)

Middle English tak fastener, rope tying down the windward corner of a sail, from Middle French (Norman dialect) taque; akin to Middle Dutch tac sharp point

Noun (2)

perhaps short for tackle

Noun (3)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1924, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tack

• tack claw
• tick-tack-toe
• ticky-tack
• tie tack

Kids Definition

tack

1 of 3 verb

ˈtak 

1

: to fasten or attach especially with tacks

2

: to join in a slight or hasty manner

3

: to add on in order to complete

4

a

: to change the direction of a sailing ship by shifting the sails

b

: to change from one tack to another

5

: to follow a zigzag course

tacker noun

tack

2 of 3 noun

1

: a small short sharp-pointed nail usually with a broad flat head

2

a

: the direction a ship is sailing as shown by the position the sails are set in

on the port tack

b

: a change of course from one tack to another

3

: a zigzag movement on land

4

: a course or method of action

try a new tack

5

: a slight or temporary sewing or fastening

tack

3 of 3 noun

: stable gear

especially : equipment (as a saddle and bridle) for use on a saddle horse

Legal Definition

tack

transitive verb

: to combine (a use, possession, or period of time) with that of another especially in order to satisfy the statutory time period for acquiring title to or a prescriptive easement in the property of a third party

successive adverse users in privity with prior adverse users can tack successive adverse possessions of land

—Hall v. Kerlee, 461 S.E.2d 911 (1995)