nail


Definition: Meaning of, nail in English to English dictionary.

Pronunciation: / neɪl /

  • noun
  • synonym
  • antonym
Word Forms:
Singular Plural
nail nails
[countable]
  1. a thin pointed piece of metal with a flat top, which you hit into a surface with a hammer, for example to join things together or to hang something on
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  2. your nails are the hard smooth layers on the ends of your fingers and toes
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  3. nail in somebody's/something's coffin one of several bad things which help to destroy someone's success or hopes
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  4. as hard/tough as nails very TOUGH and not easily frightened, or not caring about the effects of your actions on other people
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  5. on the nail British English if you pay money on the nail, you pay it immediately
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  6. on the nail especially American English completely correct
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synonym
antonym
  • verb
  • synonym
  • antonym
Word Forms:
Prsesent Past Past Participle
nail nailed nailed
Present Participle Third Person Singular
nailing nails
[transitive]
  1. [always + adverb/preposition] to fasten something to something else with nails
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  2. informal to catch someone and prove that they are guilty of a crime or something bad
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  3. informal if you nail something, you succeed in getting it, after a lot of time or effort
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  4. nail a lie/myth British English informal to prove that what someone has said is completely untrue
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  5. nail your colours to the mast British English to say clearly and publicly which ideas or which people you support
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  6. nail somebody to the wall/cross especially American English to punish someone severely
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synonym
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nail used in phrases

  • clout nail (noun)
    1. a short nail with a flat head; used to attach sheet metal to wood
  • coffin nail (noun)
    1. finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
  • eightpenny nail (noun)
    1. a nail 2.5 inches long
  • fourpenny nail (noun)
    1. a nail 1.5 inches long
  • nail bar (noun)
    1. manicures, pedicures, etc. a beauty parlour specializing in nails
  • nail bomb (noun)
    1. a bomb designed to cause extensive wounding by packing sharp objects around the explosive
  • nail clippers (noun)
    1. a special tool for cutting your nails neatly
  • nail enamel (noun)
    1. a cosmetic lacquer that dries quickly and that is applied to the nails to color them or make them shiny
  • nail file (noun)
    1. a thin piece of metal with a rough surface used for making your nails a nice shape
  • nail hole (noun)
    1. a hole left after a nail is removed
  • More

nail used in phrasal verbs

  • nail down (phrasal verb)
    1. informal to definitely decide, arrange, or complete something
    2. to fix something firmly in position with a nail or nails
  • nail up (phrasal verb)
    1. to use nails to fasten a door or window firmly shut
    2. to fix something to a wall with a nail or nails
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