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TAKE THE QUIZtongue and groove
noun
: a joint made by a tongue on one edge of a board fitting into a corresponding groove on the edge of another board
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
The arched bookcases exude a clean, modern aesthetic — especially when paired with the white tongue and groove ceiling.
—
Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 10 Jan. 2023
There are a variety of wall applications that look similar to shiplap, namely nickel gap and tongue and groove.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2022
The planks of shiplap, nickel gap, and tongue and groove each connect in a different way, which is what results in three different looks but with a similar effect.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2022
The chest itself is styled with a spiffy cottage-look and tongue and groove paneling.
—Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 26 May 2022
The 2,162-square-foot home was built in 1975 and features the original tongue and groove paneling.
—Monica Mercuri, House Beautiful, 21 Sep. 2021
Here the standard types of joint, such as mortise and tenon, tongue and groove, and dovetail, are developed with ingenious intricacy.
—Michael J. Lewis, WSJ, 20 Apr. 2021
Some of the 1972 home’s original tongue and groove ceilings were hidden beneath drywall.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Mar. 2021
The first phase of construction was to streamline everything: take out the cheap tongue and groove flooring, get rid of the weird soffits throughout the home, rework the staircase, and bring the bad build back to its original, personality-less form.
—Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, 7 Jan. 2020
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Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 10 Jan. 2023
There are a variety of wall applications that look similar to shiplap, namely nickel gap and tongue and groove.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2022
The planks of shiplap, nickel gap, and tongue and groove each connect in a different way, which is what results in three different looks but with a similar effect.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2022
The chest itself is styled with a spiffy cottage-look and tongue and groove paneling.
—Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 26 May 2022
The 2,162-square-foot home was built in 1975 and features the original tongue and groove paneling.
—Monica Mercuri, House Beautiful, 21 Sep. 2021
Here the standard types of joint, such as mortise and tenon, tongue and groove, and dovetail, are developed with ingenious intricacy.
—Michael J. Lewis, WSJ, 20 Apr. 2021
Some of the 1972 home’s original tongue and groove ceilings were hidden beneath drywall.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Mar. 2021
The first phase of construction was to streamline everything: take out the cheap tongue and groove flooring, get rid of the weird soffits throughout the home, rework the staircase, and bring the bad build back to its original, personality-less form.
—Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, 7 Jan. 2020
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tongue and groove.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1860, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of tongue and groove was
in 1860
Dictionary Entries Near tongue and groove
Cite this Entry
“Tongue and groove.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tongue%20and%20groove. Accessed 7 Feb. 2023.
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