Word
tactless
Phoneticstact·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtæktɫəs/
UK/tˈæktləs/
Definition
adj. saying or doing things that might upset or embarrass other people without meaning to. You act this way when you do not think about how your words affect others.
adj. lacking sensitivity or skill in dealing with others or with difficult issues. Often describes remarks or actions that are unintentionally offensive due to a failure to consider the feelings of others.
Examples
“It was tactless of him to mention the divorce.”
“She made a tactless comment about the food, not realizing the host had spent all afternoon preparing it.”
“While his observations were technically accurate, his tactless delivery during the board meeting alienated the very colleagues whose support he desperately needed for the upcoming merger.”
Examples
simple
“It was tactless of him to mention the divorce.”
contextual
“She made a tactless comment about the food, not realizing the host had spent all afternoon preparing it.”
complex
“While his observations were technically accurate, his tactless delivery during the board meeting alienated the very colleagues whose support he desperately needed for the upcoming merger.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “tactless” in context.
Verb
01. consider tactless
“Many staff considered his email about the layoffs tactless.”
verb + adj
02. seem tactless
“I know it may seem tactless, but I have to ask about the will.”
verb + adj
03. sound tactless
“That question might sound tactless, but are you expecting a baby?”
verb + adj
04. tactless about
“She was tactless about his weight loss and upset him.”
adj + prep
Adjective
05. incredibly tactless
“It was incredibly tactless to laugh during the memorial service.”
adv + adj
06. rather tactless
“I thought it was rather tactless to ask about his salary.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. tactless comment
“She apologised for her tactless comment about his divorce.”
adj + noun
08. tactless joke
“He told a tactless joke about the accident and fell silent.”
adj + noun
09. a bit tactless
“I know that was a bit tactless — I didn't mean to upset you.”
10. ask a tactless question
“She asked a tactless question about their separation at the party.”
11. come across as tactless
“Without meaning to, his honest feedback came across as tactless.”
12. make a tactless remark
“He made a tactless remark about her promotion during lunch.”
Usage
Often used in the structure 'It was tactless of [someone] to [do something]'.
Real-World Examples
“He later backtracked, but his tactless remarks - and his even more tactless conduct in dozing off during part of the ceremony - recalled another occasion a decade ago when he appeared to praise Mussolini by claiming that the Fascist dictator had "never killed anybody".” Etymology
From tact + -less.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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