Tact

/tækt/
noun

The ability to say or do the right thing without upsetting or offending someone.

It requires considerable tact to deal with such a situation.
Visual representation of "tact" - The ability to say or do the right thing without upsetting or offending someone.

Often appears as...

  • show tact
  • handle with tact
noun

Skill and sensitivity in dealing with people or difficult issues.

She showed great tact and diplomacy when dealing with the customers' complaints.
Visual representation of "tact" - Skill and sensitivity in dealing with people or difficult issues.

Often appears as...

  • display tact
  • use tact
noun

The ability to say or do the right thing without upsetting or offending someone.

It requires considerable tact to deal with such a situation.
Visual representation of "tact" - The ability to say or do the right thing without upsetting or offending someone.

Often appears as...

  • show tact
  • handle with tact
noun

Skill and sensitivity in dealing with people or difficult issues.

She showed great tact and diplomacy when dealing with the customers' complaints.
Visual representation of "tact" - Skill and sensitivity in dealing with people or difficult issues.

Often appears as...

  • display tact
  • use tact
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "tact"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subtle Compliments

Using tact often involves giving subtle compliments to ease into a discussion.

Illustration for Subtle Compliments
You've done great work, though we might need some small changes.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Avoid Bluntness

Directly stating facts can be harsh; tact allows for a gentler approach.

Illustration for Avoid Bluntness
Perhaps there's an alternative to your current approach.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Reading Emotions

Tact requires understanding others' feelings before you speak or act.

Illustration for Reading Emotions
She noticed his discomfort and changed the subject tactfully.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subtle Compliments

Using tact often involves giving subtle compliments to ease into a discussion.

Illustration for Subtle Compliments
You've done great work, though we might need some small changes.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Avoid Bluntness

Directly stating facts can be harsh; tact allows for a gentler approach.

Illustration for Avoid Bluntness
Perhaps there's an alternative to your current approach.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Reading Emotions

Tact requires understanding others' feelings before you speak or act.

Illustration for Reading Emotions
She noticed his discomfort and changed the subject tactfully.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subtle Compliments

Using tact often involves giving subtle compliments to ease into a discussion.

Illustration for Subtle Compliments
You've done great work, though we might need some small changes.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Avoid Bluntness

Directly stating facts can be harsh; tact allows for a gentler approach.

Illustration for Avoid Bluntness
Perhaps there's an alternative to your current approach.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Reading Emotions

Tact requires understanding others' feelings before you speak or act.

Illustration for Reading Emotions
She noticed his discomfort and changed the subject tactfully.
Visual representation of the word "Tact"

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Video examples

Safari Live - Day 59 PIPE...

also to help rehabilitate there's there's quite a bit of erosion that's going on and a lot of the sticks that are being used are from nob thorns I'm serious thorns on there so you got a little bit of tact and decided chew on it and then you so much just there I got stuck in his little lip

Video examples

The Silk Road:...

Possibly even transmitting crossbow technology to the Western world. Demand for exotic and foreign goods and the profits they brought, kept the strands of the Silk Road in tact, even as the Roman Empire disintegrated

Video examples

Safari Live - Day 59 PIPE...

also to help rehabilitate there's there's quite a bit of erosion that's going on and a lot of the sticks that are being used are from nob thorns I'm serious thorns on there so you got a little bit of tact and decided chew on it and then you so much just there I got stuck in his little lip

Video examples

The Silk Road:...

Possibly even transmitting crossbow technology to the Western world. Demand for exotic and foreign goods and the profits they brought, kept the strands of the Silk Road in tact, even as the Roman Empire disintegrated

Example 1 of 2

Quote examples

Debra Winger

American Actor

When I was younger I probably didn't understand something basic about tact, but I think it kept faint-hearted people at arm's distance and that's not such a bad thing, because life is short and I know the kind of people I want to work with.
Portrait of Debra Winger

Quote examples

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

American Athlete

Even though I'm not a competitive athlete, I have to still maintain things and try to keep myself fit because I am at that age where I need to make sure to get those regular checkups and make sure everything is in tact.
Portrait of Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Quote examples

Dr. Seuss

American Writer

Step with care and great tact, and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act.
Portrait of Dr. Seuss

Quote examples

Oliver Herford

American Author

Tact: to lie about others as you would have them lie about you.
Portrait of Oliver Herford

Quote examples

Abraham Lincoln

American President

Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.
Portrait of Abraham Lincoln

Quote examples

Isaac Newton

English Mathematician

Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.
Portrait of Isaac Newton

Quote examples

Sarah Orne Jewett

American Author

Tact is after all a kind of mind reading.
Portrait of Sarah Orne Jewett

Quote examples

Samuel Butler

British Poet

It is tact that is golden, not silence.
Portrait of Samuel Butler

Quote examples

Benjamin Disraeli

British Statesman

Without tact you can learn nothing.
Portrait of Benjamin Disraeli

Quote examples

Ted Koppel

American Journalist

I have the necessary lack of tact.
Portrait of Ted Koppel

Quote examples

Debra Winger

American Actor

When I was younger I probably didn't understand something basic about tact, but I think it kept faint-hearted people at arm's distance and that's not such a bad thing, because life is short and I know the kind of people I want to work with.
Portrait of Debra Winger

Quote examples

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

American Athlete

Even though I'm not a competitive athlete, I have to still maintain things and try to keep myself fit because I am at that age where I need to make sure to get those regular checkups and make sure everything is in tact.
Portrait of Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Quote examples

Dr. Seuss

American Writer

Step with care and great tact, and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act.
Portrait of Dr. Seuss

Quote examples

Oliver Herford

American Author

Tact: to lie about others as you would have them lie about you.
Portrait of Oliver Herford

Quote examples

Abraham Lincoln

American President

Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.
Portrait of Abraham Lincoln

Quote examples

Isaac Newton

English Mathematician

Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.
Portrait of Isaac Newton

Quote examples

Sarah Orne Jewett

American Author

Tact is after all a kind of mind reading.
Portrait of Sarah Orne Jewett

Quote examples

Samuel Butler

British Poet

It is tact that is golden, not silence.
Portrait of Samuel Butler

Quote examples

Benjamin Disraeli

British Statesman

Without tact you can learn nothing.
Portrait of Benjamin Disraeli

Quote examples

Ted Koppel

American Journalist

I have the necessary lack of tact.
Portrait of Ted Koppel
Example 1 of 10
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