[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/tack/)

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# tack

noun (a tack, tacks); verb (tack, tacks, tacked, tacking); noun (tack — uncountable, for horses)

«tack» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A tack is a small nail with a flat head; a drawing pin or thumbtack holds paper on a board. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#m1)
2. To tack something is to fix it with tacks, or to sew it loosely with big temporary stitches. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#m2)
3. (sailing) To tack is to change a sailing boat's direction by turning its front through the wind, so it can zigzag against the wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#m3)
4. A tack is a way or plan of doing something: try a different tack. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#m4)
5. Tack is the saddle, bridle and other equipment for riding a horse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#m5)
6. To tack something on is to add it at the end, often as an afterthought. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#m6)
7. Tack can also be the sharp ticking sound a clock makes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#m7)

### In the lessons

In everyday school life, notices are tacked to the noticeboard with thumbtacks (US) or drawing pins (UK). In sailing lessons and stories, a boat tacks to sail upwind. In horse riding, cleaning the tack is a chore at the stables. In problem-solving, "try a different tack" means try another method.

### Examples

- Pin the poster up with a tack. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#x1)
- Mum tacked the hem before sewing it properly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#x2)
- The sailors had to tack back and forth against the wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#x3)
- That didn't work, so let's try a different tack. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#x4)
- She cleaned the saddle and the rest of the tack. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#x5)
- He tacked a joke on to the end of his speech. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#x6)
- Ouch, I stepped on a tack! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#x7)
- Use a thumbtack to hold the map on the wall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#x8)
- The clock said “tick! tack!” and the finger moved round; but as they entered, they remarked that they were now grown up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/#x9)

### Note

Safety: tacks are sharp; keep them away from small children. "Thumbtack" (US, Canada), "drawing pin" (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ). "Blu Tack" (UK, Australia) is a sticky putty. "Tacky" can mean sticky or, informally, cheap-looking and tasteless.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «tack» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tack/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«tack» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/tack.html) on Mova free.