dovetail
verb
dovetailed; dovetailing; dovetails
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
: to fit together into a whole
Examples of dovetail in a Sentence
the Union and the Confederate accounts of the battle don't dovetail at all
Recent Examples on the Web
The lab’s work also will prioritize projects that dovetail with the Florida-Israel Institute, which is administered through FAU.
—
Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Ultimately, the film’s biggest takeaway dovetails with the way in which Cruising is viewed at almost five decades’ distance.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2026
The identity dovetailed with research on the power of the underdog, which just happened to be published during Brunson’s first years in the league.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Quinn said the renovation also dovetails with the emerging priorities that are part of an effort by local corporations — led by insurance giant The Hartford, headquartered in the city since 1810 — that seeks to accelerate revitalization in Hartford.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
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Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Ultimately, the film’s biggest takeaway dovetails with the way in which Cruising is viewed at almost five decades’ distance.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2026
The identity dovetailed with research on the power of the underdog, which just happened to be published during Brunson’s first years in the league.
—Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Quinn said the renovation also dovetails with the emerging priorities that are part of an effort by local corporations — led by insurance giant The Hartford, headquartered in the city since 1810 — that seeks to accelerate revitalization in Hartford.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dovetail
Cite this Entry
“Dovetail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dovetail. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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 verb1
a
: to join by means of dovetails
b
: to cut to a dovetail
2
: to fit skillfully together to form a whole
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