Tact is the ability to avoid upsetting or offending people by being careful not to say or do things that would hurt their feelings.
On this occasion the press have not been intrusive and they have shown great tact.
...helping to smooth over problems with great tact and efficiency.
Synonyms: diplomacy, understanding, consideration, sensitivity More Synonyms of tact
tact in British English
(tækt)
noun
1.
a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others, so as to avoid giving offence or to win good will; discretion
2.
skill or judgment in handling difficult or delicate situations; diplomacy
Derived forms
tactful (ˈtactful)
adjective
tactfully (ˈtactfully)
adverb
tactfulness (ˈtactfulness)
noun
tactless (ˈtactless)
adjective
tactlessly (ˈtactlessly)
adverb
tactlessness (ˈtactlessness)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin tactus a touching, from tangere to touch
tact in American English
(tækt)
noun
1. Archaic
the sense of touch
2.
delicate perception of the right thing to say or do without offending; skill in dealing with people
3.
delicate sensitivity, esp. in aesthetics
SYNONYMY NOTE: tact implies the skill in dealing with persons or difficult situations of one who hasa quick and delicate sense of what is fitting and thus avoids giving offense [it will require tact to keep him calm]; poise1 implies composure in the face of disturbing or embarrassing situations [despite the social blunder, she maintained her poise]; diplomacy implies a smoothness and adroitness in dealing with others, sometimes in such a wayas to gain one's own ends [his lack of diplomacy lost him the contract]; savoir-faire implies a ready knowledge of the right thing to do or say in any situation
Word origin
Fr < L tactus, pp. of tangere, to touch < IE base *tag-, to touch, grasp > OE thaccian, to stroke
Examples of 'tact' in a sentence
tact
Usually you're the soul of tact and discretion and rarely find yourself in an embarrassing position.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The matter would have to be managed with great tact so far as she is concerned.
Rotundo, E. Anthony American Manhood: Transformations in Masculinity from the Revolution to the ModernEra (1993)
Your blend of patience and tact ensures a family day out works.
The Sun (2012)
Research here therefore requires considerable tact to overcome these problems.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
Wise teachers know that the solution is always honesty coupled with tact and diplomacy.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
With great tact and patience he shouldered the detailed practical business of planning the film.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Use intuition to get the feel of things and tact and diplomacy to sort them out.
The Sun (2015)
Patience and tact will get your home plans moving.
The Sun (2010)
He is full of tact and diplomacy and good leaders are like that.
The Sun (2012)
But they must approach with the utmost diplomacy and tact.
Thomas Blaikie Blaikie's Guide to Modern Manners (2005)
The latter bears discreet witness to her capacity for change, sensitivity and tact.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You sense that a friend needs advice, but it must be given with great tact.
The Sun (2008)
In some situations others have a right to be annoyed, and those situations will require tact.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You have good advice for a relative, but use great tact while giving it.
The Sun (2010)
You can solve a family dilemma, but great tact is needed.
The Sun (2014)
Try to be patient and show some tact and diplomacy... as you bite your lip!
The Sun (2015)
Still, tact and diplomacy are essential.
The Sun (2011)
The tact, sensitivity and intuitive mutual understanding of carpenters or musicians can be converted into social skills.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
You see a family situation in clear light but need to add a great deal of tact if you want people to follow your advice.
The Sun (2009)
This requires tact and judgment.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
I wasn't born with a great deal of tact.
The Sun (2011)
True, this requires tact and patience, but the resulting insights could transform your thinking overnight.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His efficiency, tact, patience and deep sensitivity meant that he was ideally suited for both roles.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
To be received in his consulting room was to encounter tact, extreme discretion, imagination and sympathy.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Its bereavement department was exemplary in its tact and sensitivity, the branch staff were courteous and efficient and its management of my case was transparent and reassuring.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This last letter of yours shows great understanding and tact and I hope to be able to draw on your advice in the months ahead.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Quotations
Least said, soonest mended
In other languages
tact
British English: tact /tækt/ NOUN
Tact is the ability to avoid upsetting or offending people by being careful not to say or do things that would hurt their feelings.
You tend to say exactly what you mean when it might be better to exercise a little tact.
American English: tact
Arabic: لَبَاقَة
Brazilian Portuguese: tato
Chinese: 机智
Croatian: takt
Czech: takt ohleduplnost
Danish: takt finfølelse
Dutch: tact
European Spanish: tacto
Finnish: tahdikkuus
French: tact
German: Takt
Greek: αβρότητα
Italian: tatto
Japanese: 機転
Korean: 재치
Norwegian: taktfullhet
Polish: takt
European Portuguese: tato
Romanian: tact
Russian: такт
Latin American Spanish: tacto
Swedish: taktfullhet
Thai: การมีไหวพริบหรือปฏิภาณดี
Turkish: incelik
Ukrainian: такт
Vietnamese: sự tế nhị
Chinese translation of 'tact'
tact
(tækt)
n(u)
机(機)智 (jīzhì)
(noun)
Definition
skill in handling difficult situations
Her tact and intuition never failed.
Synonyms
diplomacy
It took all his powers of diplomacy to get them to work together.
understanding
We would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.
consideration
Show consideration for other rail travellers.
sensitivity
concern and sensitivity for each other's feelings
delicacy
He's shown considerable delicacy and tact.
skill
The cut of a diamond depends on the skill of its craftsman.
judgment
perception
discretion
This task requires the utmost discretion.
finesse
handling diplomatic challenges with finesse
thoughtfulness
savoir-faire
a certain savoir-faire that comes from living with the best
adroitness
Opposites
indiscretion
,
insensitivity
,
lack of consideration
,
awkwardness
,
clumsiness
,
heavy-handedness
,
tactlessness
,
gaucherie
,
lack of discretion
proverb
Least said, soonest mended
Additional synonyms
in the sense of consideration
Definition
thoughtfulness for other people
Show consideration for other rail travellers.
Synonyms
thoughtfulness,
concern,
respect,
kindness,
friendliness,
tact,
solicitude,
kindliness,
considerateness
in the sense of delicacy
Definition
refinement of feeling, manner, or appreciation
He's shown considerable delicacy and tact.
Synonyms
sensitivity,
understanding,
consideration,
judgment,
perception,
diplomacy,
discretion,
skill,
finesse,
tact,
thoughtfulness,
savoir-faire,
adroitness,
sensitiveness
in the sense of discretion
Definition
the quality of behaving so as to avoid social embarrassment or distress
This task requires the utmost discretion.
Synonyms
tact,
care,
consideration,
judgment,
caution,
diplomacy,
good sense,
prudence,
acumen,
wariness,
discernment,
circumspection,
sagacity,
carefulness,
judiciousness,
heedfulness
Synonyms of 'tact'
tact
Explore 'tact' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of finesse
Definition
subtlety and tact in handling difficult situations
handling diplomatic challenges with finesse
Synonyms
diplomacy,
discretion,
subtlety,
delicacy,
tact,
savoir-faire,
artfulness,
adeptness
in the sense of savoir-faire
Definition
the ability to say and do the right thing in any situation
a certain savoir-faire that comes from living with the best
Synonyms
social graces,
diplomacy,
discretion,
accomplishment,
finesse,
poise,
tact,
urbanity,
social know-how (informal)
in the sense of sensitivity
concern and sensitivity for each other's feelings
Synonyms
consideration,
feeling,
understanding,
patience,
intuition,
delicacy,
empathy,
tact,
responsiveness,
thoughtfulness,
receptiveness
in the sense of skill
Definition
special ability or expertise enabling one to perform an activity very well
The cut of a diamond depends on the skill of its craftsman.
Synonyms
expertise,
ability,
proficiency,
experience,
art,
technique,
facility,
talent,
intelligence,
craft,
competence,
readiness,
accomplishment,
knack,
ingenuity,
finesse,
aptitude,
dexterity,
cleverness,
quickness,
adroitness,
expertness,
handiness,
skilfulness
in the sense of understanding
We would like to thank them for their patience and understanding.