dovetail

UK: /ˈdʌvˌteɪl/ US: /ˈdʌvˌteɪl/ ,(duv′tāl′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dove•tail /ˈdʌvˌteɪl/   n. [countable]

1. Building a joint formed in the shape of a wedge that fits tightly into a corresponding gap in another piece of wood.

v. [~ + with + object]

2. (of ideas, figures, etc.) to join or fit together smoothly or neatly:
   My figures dovetailed nicely with theirs.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dove•tail  (duv′tāl′), n. [Carpentry.]

1. Building a tenon broader at its end than at its base;
   pin.
2. Building a joint formed of one or more such tenons fitting tightly within corresponding mortises.

v.t., v.i. 

3. Building [Carpentry.] to join or fit together by means of a dovetail or dovetails.
4. to join or fit together compactly or harmoniously.

• so named from its shape 1555–65

dove′tail′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dovetail / ˈdʌvˌteɪl/ noun

1. a wedge-shaped tenon
2. Also called: dovetail joint a joint containing such tenons

verb

1. (transitive) to join by means of dovetails
2. to fit or cause to fit together closely or neatly: he dovetailed his arguments to the desired conclusion