tact — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Sensitive mental touch; special skill or faculty; keen perception or discernment; ready power of appreciating and doing what is required by circumstances; the ability to say the right thing and avoid statements that will give offence or pain even if true.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   sensitivityconsiderationdiplomacytactfulnessdiscretion

   Examples

   By the use of tact, she was able to calm her jealous husband.

   I used tact when I told my fat uncle that his extra weight made him look better.

   More examples (2)

   He had formed plans not inferior in grandeur and boldness to those of Richelieu, and had carried them into effect with a tact and wariness worthy of Mazarin.

   A tact which surpassed the tact of her sex as much as the tact of her sex surpassed the tact of ours.

2. Propriety; manners (etiquette).

   Usage

   • Uncountable

Noun

1. The sense of touch; feeling.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Did you suppose that I could not make myself sensible to tact as well as sight?

   Now, sight is a very refined tact.

2. The stroke in beating time.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. A verbal operant which is controlled by a nonverbal stimulus (such as an object, event, or property of an object) and is maintained by nonspecific social reinforcement (praise).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Skinner (1957) saw such tacts as responses that are reinforced socially.

Verb

1. To use a tact (a kind of verbal operant).

Noun

1. consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense

   Synonyms

   tactfulness

   Broader terms

   considerationconsideratenessthoughtfulness