Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
The closest companion to SATVocab for students who want guided lessons and written practice.
Check the workbook
Tact
The ability to deal with people and delicate situations in a sensitive, considerate, and diplomatic way; choosing words and actions carefully to avoid offense.
nounCheck this word before you leave
Pick the meaning. Keys A–D work too.
How well do you know this word now?
Your choice schedules the next review.
💡
Imagine This
Imagine a mediator in a heated meeting who pauses before speaking, choosing words that acknowledge everyone's feelings and diffuse tension.
🔊
Sounds Like
takt (rhymes with 'fact'; sounds like 'tacked').
👀
Looks Like
Looks like 'fact' (similar visual structure: four letters ending with -act).
📝
Remember This
Tact is a hallmark of social intelligence. A tactful speaker can convey criticism or disagreement without provoking defensiveness.
📚
Other Forms
tactfuladjective
tactfullyadverb
tactlessnessnoun
tactlessadjective
tactfulnessnoun
🔗
Connect With
diplomacy, discretion, sensitivity, delicacy
📌
Note
Use 'tact' as a noun; 'tactful' is the adjective form, and 'tactless' describes a lack of tact. Be careful not to confuse with similarly spelled words like 'tax' or 'tactic'.
🧠
Study Deeper
Examples
- Her tact during the salary discussion prevented the meeting from turning sour.
- The teacher handled the mistake with tact, praising the effort while offering guidance.
Synonyms
diplomacydiscretionsensitivitydelicacytactfulness
Antonyms
bluntnesstactlessnesscrudenessinsensitivity
Etymology
From Old French tact, from Latin tactus meaning 'touch'; ultimately from tangere 'to touch'.
Mnemonic
TACT: Think Ahead, Consider Tones.
Next Word
Continue in alphabetical order.
Try a Random Word
Pick any word below to jump in.
Defy
verbTo openly challenge or refuse to obey; to resist, confront, or dare against someone or something.
Hardy
adjectiveCapable of enduring hardship; robust and resilient in difficult conditions.
Advocate
verbTo publicly support or defend a cause, policy, or proposal. As a noun, a person who publicly supports or defends a cause, or a lawyer.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).
Study beyond this word
Turn vocabulary practice into a complete SAT plan
Add a workbook for repetition or the official guide for full-test context.
First-time test takers
Official SAT Guide
Official question styles, test structure, and print practice from the College Board.
Check the official guidePaid Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.