nail

1 of 2

noun

ˈnāl 

1

a

: a horny sheath protecting the upper end of each finger and toe of humans and most other primates

b

: a structure (such as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds to a nail

2

: a slender usually pointed and headed fastener designed to be pounded in

nail

2 of 2

verb

nailed; nailing; nails

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

: to hit or strike in a forceful manner : whack sense 1a

nailed the ball

nailed him on the head with a rock

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

nailer noun

Synonyms of nail

Verb

• hit
• knock
• slap
• smack
• punch
• bang
• slam
• strike
• clip
• whack
• clap
• bat
• pound
• swipe

Examples of nail in a Sentence

Noun

a hammer and some nails

I get my nails done at the beauty salon every other week.

a pair of nail clippers

Verb

Nail the picture to the wall.

All the doors were nailed shut.

He got nailed by his parents while trying to sneak out of the house.

He got nailed for not paying his taxes.

The FBI has nailed the hackers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Then there was an ice bath and an obstacle course scattered with barbed wire and nails. —Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

Combined with her rounded almond shape, Gomez's nails look clean and healthy with just the right amount of shine for an elevated take on a bare nail. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2026

Verb

Built in 2012 to replace the somewhat outdated 1960s original, and then having undergone a sweeping guest rooms renovation in 2024, this 55-story tower in the chic Yorkville neighborhood continues to nail the concept of discreet luxury. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026

His shot was answered by Nikolas Khamenia, but Demary came down to the opposite corner and nailed one from there, too, to keep the deficit well within striking distance on the very next possession. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English nægl; akin to Old High German nagal nail, fingernail, Latin unguis fingernail, toenail, claw, Greek onyx

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nail

• a nail in the/someone's coffin
• coffin nail
• eightpenny nail
• hit the nail on the head
• nail bed
• nail-biter
• nail down
• nail file
• nail polish
• nail varnish
• sixpenny nail
• tenpenny nail
• tooth and nail

Rhymes for nail

• ail
• ale
• bail
• baile
• dail
• fail
• flail
• frail
• gael
• gail
• grail
• hail

Kids Definition

nail

1 of 2 noun

ˈnā(ə)l 

1

: a horny covering at the end of the fingers and toes of human beings, apes, and monkeys

also : a similar structure (as a claw) in other animals

2

: a slender usually pointed fastener with a head designed to be pounded in

nail

2 of 2 verb

1

: to fasten with or as if with a nail

2

: catch entry 1 sense 1, trap

nail a thief

3

: to hit or strike in a forceful or accurate way

nailed the ball

4

: to complete successfully

nailed the dismount

5

: to settle, establish, or represent clearly and unmistakably

nail down all the details

nailer noun

Medical Definition

nail

noun

ˈnā(ə)l 

1

: a horny sheath of thickened and condensed epithelial stratum lucidum that grows out from a vascular matrix of dermis and protects the upper surface of the end of each finger and toe of humans and most other primates and that is strictly homologous with the hoof or claw of other mammals from which it differs chiefly in shape and size

called also nail plate

2

: a structure (as a claw) that terminates a digit and corresponds to a nail

3

: a rod (as of metal) used to fix the parts of a broken bone in normal relation

a medullary nail