Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense nails, present participle nailing, past tense, past participle nailed
1. countable noun
A nail is a thin piece of metal with one pointed end and one flat end. You hit the flat end with a hammer in order to push the nail into something such as a wall.
A mirror hung on a nail above the washstand.
He hammered the nail into the branch.
Synonyms: tack, spike, rivet, sprig [technical] More Synonyms of nail
2. verb
If you nail something somewhere, you fix it there using one or more nails.
Frank put the first plank down and nailed it in place. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
They nail shut the front door. [VERB noun with adjective]
The windows were all nailed shut. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: fasten, fix, secure, attach More Synonyms of nail
3. countable noun
Your nails are the thin hard parts that grow at the ends of your fingers and toes.
Keep your nails short and your hands clean.
Synonyms: fingernail, toenail, talon, thumbnail More Synonyms of nail
4. verb
To nail someone means to catch them and prove that they have been breaking the law.
[informal]
The prosecution still managed to nail him for robberies at the homes of leading industrialists. [VERB noun + for]
5. verb
If you nail something, you do it extremely well or successfully.
[informal]
She had nailed the art of making us laugh. [VERB noun]
He tried, but I'm not sure he totally nailed it. [VERBit]
6.
See as hard as nails/hard as nails
7.
See to hit the nail on the head
8. a nail in the coffin
9. to nail your colours to the mast
10. to fight tooth and nail
Phrasal verbs:
See nail down
See nail up
More Synonyms of nail
nail in British English
(neɪl)
noun
1.
a fastening device usually made from round or oval wire, having a point at one end and a head at the other
2.
anything resembling such a fastening device, esp in function or shape
3.
the horny plate covering part of the dorsal surface of the fingers or toes
fingernail, toenail ▶ Related adjectives: ungual, ungular
4.
the claw of a mammal, bird, or reptile
5. slang
a hypodermic needle, used for injecting drugs
6.
a unit of length, formerly used for measuring cloth, equal to two and a quarter inches
7. a nail in one's coffin
8. bite one's nails
9. hard as nails
10. hit the nail on the head
11. on the nail
verb(transitive)
12.
to attach with or as if with nails
13. informal
to arrest or seize
14. informal
to hit or bring down, as with a shot
I nailed the sniper
15. informal
to expose or detect (a lie or liar)
16.
to fix or focus (one's eyes, attention, etc) on an object
17.
to stud with nails
18. nail it
Derived forms
nailer (ˈnailer)
noun
nail-less (ˈnail-less)
adjective
Word origin
Old English nǣgl; related to Old High German nagal nail, Latin unguis fingernail, claw, Greek onux
nail in American English
(neɪl)
noun
1.
a.
a thin, horny covering that grows out over the upper tip of a finger or toe
b.
a similar growth on a toe of a bird, reptile, etc.; claw
2.
a tapered piece of metal, commonly pointed and having a flattened head, driven with a hammer, and used to hold pieces or parts together, to hang things on, etc.
3.
an old cloth measure, equal to 21⁄4 inches
verb transitive
4.
to attach or fasten together or onto something else with or as with nails
5.
to secure, hold, or fasten shut with nails
6.
to fix (the eyes, attention, etc.) steadily on an object
7.
to discover or expose (a lie, etc.)
8. Informal
to catch, capture, seize, or intercept
9. Informal
to hit squarely
Idioms:
hard as nails
hit the nail on the head
nail down
nail up
Word origin
ME naile < OE nægl, akin to Ger nagel < IE base *onogh, nail > Sans áṅghri-, foot, Gr onyx, nail, L unguis, fingernail
More idioms containing
nail
nail a lie
nail your colours to the mast
like trying to nail Jell-O to the wall
fight tooth and nail
nail someone to the wall
another nail in the coffin
hit the nail on the head
on the nail
Examples of 'nail' in a sentence
nail
He nailed harder ones but was tripped by something easy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And still no one has been nailed for it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Did you know that nails grow less quickly at this time of year?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are small and unfussy, with slender fingers and short, neatly shaped nails.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now his lies have been nailed he faces having to pay it back.
The Sun (2014)
You have hit the nail on the head.
The Sun (2008)
Always use a heavy nail where a wire changes direction.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She has hit the nail on the head regarding the loss of closeness in owning a car.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Try not to anxiously stalk the postman or bite your nails down to the quick.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She has to coat with clear nail varnish all metal surfaces she touches regularly.
The Sun (2010)
Needs to nail a permanent place in the team first.
The Sun (2008)
Do human hair and nails grow more quickly in a heat wave?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This is not a work for those who prefer hammers and nails.
Christianity Today (2000)
Now nail the plank to the shed wall.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You can have your first officers glitter nail polish and you can have your tattoos.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Let me nail that lie here and now.
The Sun (2014)
It looks like he hit the nail on the head.
The Sun (2014)
N-DUBZ will have no nails left to bite by the time the weekend is over.
The Sun (2010)
Try to make sure that her nails are clean and short to minimise the risk of infection if she scratches the skin.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There's a lot of work involved with keeping nails in good shape during the colder months.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This hotel has hit the nail on the head - the perfect blend of old and new.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
nail
British English: nail /neɪl/ NOUN
metal A nail is a thin piece of metal. It is flat at one end and it has a point at the other end.
A picture hung on a nail in the wall.
American English: nail
Arabic: مِسْمَارٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: prego
Chinese: 指甲
Croatian: čavao
Czech: hřebík
Danish: søm
Dutch: spijker
European Spanish: uña general
Finnish: naula
French: clou
German: Nagel
Greek: νύχι
Italian: chiodo
Japanese: 釘
Korean: 못
Norwegian: negl
Polish: paznokieć
European Portuguese: prego
Romanian: cui
Russian: гвоздь
Latin American Spanish: uña
Swedish: spik
Thai: เล็บ
Turkish: çivi
Ukrainian: цвях
Vietnamese: móng
British English: nail /neɪl/ NOUN
finger, toe Your nails are the thin hard parts that grow at the ends of your fingers and toes.
Try to keep your nails short.
American English: nail
Arabic: ظُفْر
Brazilian Portuguese: unha
Chinese: 指甲
Croatian: nokti
Czech: nehet
Danish: negl
Dutch: nagel
European Spanish: uña
Finnish: kynsi
French: ongle
German: Nagel
Greek: νύχι
Italian: unghia
Japanese: 爪
Korean: 손톱
Norwegian: negl
Polish: paznokieć
European Portuguese: unha
Romanian: unghie
Russian: ноготь
Latin American Spanish: uña
Swedish: naglar
Thai: เล็บ
Turkish: tırnak
Ukrainian: ніготь
Vietnamese: móng
British English: nail VERB
If you nail something somewhere, you fix it there using one or more nails.
He put the first plank down and nailed it in place.
American English: nail
Brazilian Portuguese: pregar
Chinese: 钉住用钉子
European Spanish: clavar
French: clouer
German: nageln
Italian: inchiodare
Japanese: くぎで固定する
Korean: 못을 박다
European Portuguese: pregar
Latin American Spanish: clavar
Chinese translation of 'nail'
nail
(neɪl)
n(c)
[of finger, toe]指甲 (zhǐjia) (个(個), gè)
(for hammering) 钉(釘)子 (dīngzi) (枚, méi)
vt
(= attach)
to nail sth to/on sth把某物钉(釘)在某物上 (bǎ mǒuwù dìng zài mǒuwù shang)
(inf)[thief]抓住 (zhuāzhù)
to be nailed shut用钉(釘)子钉(釘)死 (yòng dīngzi dìngsǐ)
All related terms of 'nail'
nail down
( identify ) 确(確)定 quèdìng
nail polish
指甲油 zhǐjiayóu
nail clippers
指甲刀 zhǐjiadāo [ 个(個) gè ]
nail scissors
指甲刀 zhǐjiadāo [ 个(個) gè ]
nail varnish
= nail polish
nail polish remover
洗甲水 xǐjiǎshuǐ
to nail sth to/on sth
把某物钉(釘)在某物上 bǎ mǒuwù dìng zài mǒuwù shang
to knock a nail into sth
在某处(處)钉(釘)钉(釘)子 zài mǒuchù dìng dīngzi
to nail sb down to a date/price
要某人确(確)定日期/价(價)格 yào mǒurén quèdìng rìqī/jiàgé
1 (noun)
Definition
a piece of metal with a point at one end and a head at the other, hit with a hammer to join two objects together
A mirror hung on a nail above the washstand.
Synonyms
tack
Use a staple gun or upholstery tacks.
spike
a 15-foot wall topped with iron spikes
rivet
sprig (technical)
hobnail
brad (technical)
clout nail (technical)
2 (noun)
Definition
the hard covering of the upper tips of the fingers and toes
Keep your nails short and your hands clean.
Synonyms
fingernail
toenail
talon
thumbnail
claw
The cat's claws got caught in my clothes.
unguis (technical)
1 (verb)
Definition
to attach (something) with nails
Frank put the first plank down and nailed it in place.
Synonyms
fasten
Use screws to fasten the shelf to the wall.
fix
Fix the photo to the card using double-sided tape
secure
The frames are secured by horizontal rails to the back wall.
attach
Attach labels to things before you file them away.
pin
They pinned a notice to the door.
hammer (informal)
He hammered the young left-hander in four straight sets.
tack
He had tacked this note to the door.
beat
The rain was beating on the window panes.
2 (verb)
Definition
to arrest or catch (someone)
(informal)
The police have been trying to nail him for years.
Synonyms
catch
Police say they are confident of catching the killer.
arrest
Seven people were arrested for minor offences.
capture
The police gave chase and captured him as he was trying to escape.
apprehend
Police have not apprehended the perpetrator.
lift (slang)
trap
To trap the culprit they had to play her at her own game.
nab (informal)
He stayed on the run for weeks before the authorities nabbed him.
snare
He'd snared a rabbit earlier in the day.
ensnare
The spider must wait for the prey to be ensnared in its web.
entrap
The whale's mouth contains filters which entrap plankton.
feel your collar (slang)
idiom
See on the nail
related words
technical nameunguis
related adjectivesungualungular
Additional synonyms
in the sense of apprehend
Definition
to arrest and take into custody
Police have not apprehended the perpetrator.
Synonyms
arrest,
catch,
lift (slang),
nick (slang, British),
capture,
seize,
run in (slang),
take,
nail (informal),
bust (informal),
collar (informal),
pinch (informal),
nab (informal),
take prisoner,
feel your collar (slang)
in the sense of arrest
Definition
to take (a person) into custody
Seven people were arrested for minor offences.
Synonyms
capture,
catch,
lift (slang),
nick (slang, British),
seize,
run in (slang),
nail (informal),
bust (informal),
collar (informal),
take,
detain,
pinch (informal),
nab (informal),
apprehend,
take prisoner,
take into custody,
lay hold of,
feel your collar (slang),
cop (slang)
in the sense of attach
Definition
to join, fasten, or connect
Attach labels to things before you file them away.
Synonyms
affix,
stick,
secure,
bind,
unite,
add,
join,
couple,
link,
tie,
fix,
connect,
lash,
glue,
adhere,
fasten,
annex,
truss,
yoke,
append (formal),
make fast,
cohere,
subjoin,
bootstrap to
Synonyms of 'nail'
nail
Explore 'nail' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of beat
Definition
to strike with a series of violent blows
The rain was beating on the window panes.
Synonyms
pound,
strike,
hammer (informal),
batter,
thrash,
pelt
in the sense of capture
Definition
to take by force
The police gave chase and captured him as he was trying to escape.
Synonyms
catch,
arrest,
take,
bag,
secure,
seize,
nail (informal),
collar (informal),
nab (informal),
apprehend,
lift (slang),
take prisoner,
take into custody,
feel your collar (slang)
in the sense of claw
Definition
a curved pointed nail on the foot of birds, some reptiles, and certain mammals
The cat's claws got caught in my clothes.
Synonyms
nail,
talon,
unguis
in the sense of ensnare
Definition
to catch (an animal) in a snare
The spider must wait for the prey to be ensnared in its web.
Synonyms
trap,
catch,
capture,
seize,
snarl,
embroil,
net,
snare,
entangle,
entrap,
enmesh
in the sense of entrap
Definition
to catch in a trap
The whale's mouth contains filters which entrap plankton.
Synonyms
catch,
net,
capture,
trap,
snare,
entangle,
ensnare
in the sense of fix
Definition
to attach or place permanently
Fix the photo to the card using double-sided tape
Synonyms
place,
join,
stick (informal),
attach,
set,
position,
couple,
plant,
link,
establish,
tie,
settle,
secure,
bind,
root,
connect,
locate,
pin,
install,
anchor,
glue,
cement,
implant,
embed,
fasten,
make fast
in the sense of hammer
Definition
to defeat heavily
He hammered the young left-hander in four straight sets.
Synonyms
defeat,
beat,
thrash,
stuff (slang),
master,
worst,
tank (slang),
lick (informal),
trounce,
clobber (slang),
run rings around (informal),
wipe the floor with (informal),
blow out of the water (slang),
drub
in the sense of nab
Definition
to arrest (someone)
He stayed on the run for weeks before the authorities nabbed him.
Synonyms
catch,
arrest,
apprehend,
seize,
lift (slang),
nick (slang, British),
grab,
capture,
nail (informal),
collar (informal),
snatch,
catch in the act,
feel your collar (slang)
in the sense of pin
Definition
to fasten with a pin or pins
They pinned a notice to the door.
Synonyms
fasten,
stick,
attach,
join,
fix,
secure,
nail,
clip,
staple,
tack,
affix
in the sense of secure
Definition
to attach; make fast or firm
The frames are secured by horizontal rails to the back wall.
Synonyms
attach,
stick,
fix,
bind,
pin,
lash,
glue,
fasten,
rivet
Additional synonyms
in the sense of snare
Definition
to catch in or as if in a snare
He'd snared a rabbit earlier in the day.
Synonyms
trap,
catch,
net,
wire,
seize,
entrap,
springe
in the sense of spike
Definition
a long metal nail
a 15-foot wall topped with iron spikes
Synonyms
point,
stake,
spur,
pin,
nail,
spine,
barb,
tine,
prong
in the sense of trap
Definition
to catch (someone) by a trick
To trap the culprit they had to play her at her own game.