dovetail

1 of 2

noun

dove·​tail ˈdəv-ˌtāl 

: something resembling a dove's tail

especially : a flaring tenon and a mortise into which it fits tightly making an interlocking joint between two pieces (as of wood)

Illustration of dovetail

• 1 mortises
• 2 tenons
• 3 joint

dovetail

2 of 2

verb

dovetailed; dovetailing; dovetails

transitive verb

1

a

: to join by means of dovetails

b

: to cut to a dovetail

2

a

: to fit skillfully to form a whole

b

: to fit together with

intransitive verb

: to fit together into a whole

Synonyms of dovetail

Verb

• coincide
• correspond
• conform
• fit

Examples of dovetail in a Sentence

Verb

the Union and the Confederate accounts of the battle don't dovetail at all

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Look for solid-wood pieces with clean lines and signs of thoughtful construction, such as dovetail joinery. — Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026

There's just something about old furniture that showcases wood with dovetail joinery and a perfect patina, evoking a cozy sense of nostalgia. — Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026

Verb

Even though the two women grew up in different environments, their world views very much dovetailed. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 16 June 2026

Trump’s factual understanding of American history also dovetails closely with that of the far left. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1573, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1657, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for dovetail

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale

Kids Definition

dovetail

1 of 2 noun

dove·​tail -ˌtāl 

: something shaped like a dove's tail

especially : a joint between two pieces (as of wood) formed by a wedge-shaped part that fits tightly into a wedge-shaped slot in the other piece

dovetail

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to join by means of dovetails

b

: to cut to a dovetail

2

: to fit skillfully together to form a whole