TACTFUL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tactful mean? 

• TACTFUL (adjective)
  The adjective TACTFUL has 2 senses:

1. having or showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others

2. showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with people

  Familiarity information: TACTFUL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TACTFUL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having or showing a sense of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others

Context example:

a tactful remark eased her embarrassment

Similar:

discerning; discreet (unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic)

Also:

considerate (showing concern for the rights and feelings of others)

Antonym:

tactless (lacking or showing a lack of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others)

Derivation:

tactfulness (consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with people

Synonyms:

kid-glove; tactful

Context example:

the agency got the kid-glove treatment on Capitol Hill

Similar:

diplomatic; diplomatical (using or marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people)

Derivation:

tactfulness (consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense)

 Context examples 

He was starving for sympathy, which, with him, meant intelligent understanding; and he had yet to learn that Ruth's sympathy was largely sentimental and tactful, and that it proceeded from gentleness of nature rather than from understanding of the objects of her sympathy.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Probably it had been tactful to leave Daisy's house, but the act annoyed me and her next remark made me rigid.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)