The difference between Tack and Thumbtack

When used as nouns, tack means a small nail with a flat head, whereas thumbtack means a small nail-like tack with a slightly rounded head that can be pressed into place with light pressure from the thumb.

When used as verbs, tack means to nail with a tack (small nail with a flat head), whereas thumbtack means to fix or attach something with a thumbtack.


check bellow for the other definitions of Tack and Thumbtack

  1. Tack as a noun:

    A small nail with a flat head.

  2. Tack as a noun:

    A thumbtack.

  3. Tack as a noun (sewing):

    A loose seam used to temporarily fasten pieces of cloth.

  4. Tack as a noun (nautical):

    The lower corner on the leading edge of a sail relative to the direction of the wind.

  5. Tack as a noun (nautical):

    A course or heading that enables a sailing vessel to head upwind. See also reach, gybe.

  6. Tack as a noun:

    A direction or course of action, especially a new one.

  7. Tack as a noun (nautical):

    The maneuver by which a sailing vessel turns its bow through the wind so that the wind changes from one side to the other.

  8. Tack as a noun (nautical):

    The distance a sailing vessel runs between these maneuvers when working to windward; a board.

  9. Tack as a noun (nautical):

    A rope used to hold in place the foremost lower corners of the courses when the vessel is close-hauled; also, a rope employed to pull the lower corner of a studding sail to the boom.

  10. Tack as a noun:

    Any of the various equipment and accessories worn by horses in the course of their use as domesticated animals. Saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, harnesses, martingales, and breastplates are all forms of horse tack.

  11. Tack as a noun (manufacturing, construction, chemistry):

    The stickiness of a compound, related to its cohesive and adhesive properties.

    Examples:

    "The laminate adhesive has very aggressive tack and is hard to move once in place."

  12. Tack as a noun:

    Hardtack.

  13. Tack as a noun:

    That which is attached; a supplement; an appendix.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Macaulay"

  14. Tack as a noun (legal, Scotland):

    A contract by which the use of a thing is set, or let, for hire; a lease.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Burrill"

  15. Tack as a noun (obsolete):

    Confidence; reliance.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Halliwell"

  1. Tack as a verb:

    To nail with a tack (small nail with a flat head).

  2. Tack as a verb:

    To sew/stich with a tack (loose seam used to temporarily fasten pieces of cloth).

  3. Tack as a verb (nautical):

    To maneuver a sailing vessel so that its bow turns through the wind, i.e. the wind changes from one side of the vessel to the other.

  4. Tack as a verb:

    To add something as an extra item.

    Examples:

    "to tack (something) onto (something)"

  5. Tack as a verb:

    Often paired with "up", to place the tack on a horse.

  1. Tack as a noun:

    A stain; a tache.

  2. Tack as a noun (obsolete):

    A peculiar flavour or taint.

  1. Tack as a noun (colloquial):

    That which is tacky; something cheap and gaudy.

  1. Thumbtack as a noun:

    A small nail-like tack with a slightly rounded head that can be pressed into place with light pressure from the thumb; used for hanging light articles on a wall or noticeboard.

  1. Thumbtack as a verb (transitive):

    To fix or attach something with a thumbtack.

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