nail
nail Lexical Profile
nail Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A tough, horn-like plate of keratin covering the upper surface of the tip of a finger or toe.
"She carefully trimmed and filed her nails before painting them."
A small metal spike with a broadened flat head, driven into wood or other materials to serve as a fastener or a hook.
"The carpenter hammered a heavy nail into the wooden beam to secure the frame."
• verb
To fasten or join securely using small metal spikes.
"He spent the afternoon trying to nail the loose floorboards back down."
To perform a task, action, or routine perfectly and successfully.
"After weeks of intense practice, she managed to nail the challenging piano concerto."
To catch, arrest, or expose someone, especially for a crime or wrongdoing.
"The detectives worked for months to finally nail the suspect involved in the robbery."
• Rhymes for nail
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'nægl', descending from Proto-Germanic '*naglaz' and the Proto-Indo-European root '*(h₃)nogʰ-', which originally meant 'claw' or 'fingernail'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.