nail

²nail

verb

Definition of NAIL

transitive verb

1

: to fasten with or as if with a nail

2

: to fix in steady attention <nailed his eye on the crack>

3

a : catch, trap b : to expose usually so as to discredit c : to arrest or punish for an offense

4

a : strike, hit b : to put out (a runner) in baseball

5

: to perform or complete perfectly or impressively <nailed a jump shot>

6

: to gain or win decisively —often used with down <nail down their consent>

7

: to settle, establish, or represent clearly and unmistakably —often used with down

8

usually vulgar : to copulate with

— nail·er noun

Examples of NAIL

1. Nail the picture to the wall.
2. All the doors were nailed shut.
3. He got nailed by his parents while trying to sneak out of the house.
4. He got nailed for not paying his taxes.
5. The FBI has nailed the hackers.

First Known Use of NAIL

before 12th century

Related to NAIL

Synonyms: bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, knock, hit, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, zap

Antonyms: camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask

Related Words: batter, beat, buffet, bung, chop, cuff, drub, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lick, mangle, maul, pelt, pepper, pommel, pummel, rough; scuff; bunt, flick, stroke, tap; bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, poke, prod, push, shove, stamp; bowl (down or over), cream, deck, dump [slang], fell, floor, knock down, level; rabbit-punch, sucker punch; cane, club, cudgel, flail, flog, lash, sap, slash, sledge, sledgehammer, spear, stab, switch, thrash, whip; bean, brain, conk, skull

Near Antonyms: confuse, muddle, muddy, unsettle

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot