Standard Lemma guide

tactlessness

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The state or quality of being tactless.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • His tactlessness combined with his bluntness made him many enemies.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The result or product of being tactless.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

the quality of lacking tact

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: tactfulness

Broader terms: inconsideration, inconsiderateness, thoughtlessness

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English tactless Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English tactlessness From tactless + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Greek: αδεξιότητα (adexiótita) — the quality of being tactless