tattoo
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a permanent picture or design made on your skin using a needle and ink.
n.a permanent design or mark made on the body by the insertion of pigment into the dermis.
Simple“He has a small tattoo of an anchor on his left arm.”
In context“The artist spent four hours completing the intricate tattoo, ensuring the fine lines of the geometric pattern were perfectly symmetrical.”
Synonymsinkbody art - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a large public show with military music and marching.
n.a military exercise or pageant, typically involving music and marching, often performed as an evening entertainment.
Simple“Thousands of people travel to Scotland every year to see the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.”
In context“The annual tattoo featured a spectacular coordination of pipe bands and light displays that drew spectators from across the globe.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a fast, rhythmic sound made by tapping or drumming.
n.a rapid, rhythmic drumming or tapping sound.
Simple“The rain beat a steady tattoo against the metal roof of the cabin.”
In context“His fingers beat a nervous tattoo on the mahogany desk while he waited for the board to announce their final decision.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
v.to mark someone's skin with a permanent design.
v.to mark a person or a part of the body with an indelible design by inserting pigment into the skin.
Simple“She decided to have her daughter's name tattooed on her wrist.”
In context“The specialist was commissioned to tattoo a realistic portrait onto the client's shoulder, a process requiring multiple sessions to achieve the desired depth.”
Synonyms
From earlier tattaow, tattow, a borrowing from a Polynesian language, e.g. Samoan tatau (“tattoo; to tap, to strike”).
From earlier tap-to, borrowed from Dutch taptoe, from tap (“tap; faucet on a cask”) + toe (“to; shut”). More at tap, to.
From Hindi टट्टू (ṭaṭṭū).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.