Dovetail Meaning in English
word
Definition
To fit or work together smoothly and perfectly, like how interlocking joints connect two pieces of wood. It can refer to ideas, plans, or physical materials joining exactly.
Usage & Nuances
Used both literally in woodworking ('dovetail joint') and figuratively for perfect coordination or harmony (ideas, schedules). Formal or semi-formal; collocates with 'with', as in 'plans dovetail with each other.' Rare in casual conversation.
Spanish: encajar perfectamente - unirse como colas de milano (carpintería)Portuguese (BR): encaixar perfeitamente - encaixe do tipo rabo de andorinha (marcenaria)Portuguese (PT): encaixar perfeitamente - união do tipo rabo de andorinha (carpintaria)Chinese (Simplified): 完美结合 - 鸟尾榫（木工用语）Chinese (Traditional): 完美結合 - 鳥尾榫（木工用語）Hindi: पूर्णतः मेल खाना - डवटेल जोड़ (बढ़ईगीरी)Arabic: ينسجم تمامًا - وصلة السنونو (نجارة)Bengali: মিলিত হওয়া - ঠিকমতো খাপ খাওয়াRussian: стыковаться - подгонятьсяJapanese: かみ合う - 連携するVietnamese: khớp với nhau - ăn khớpKorean: 맞물리다 - 조화를 이루다Turkish: uyum sağlamak - birleşmekUrdu: مکمل ہونا - ہم آہنگ ہوناIndonesian: menyatu dengan baik - berpadu
Example Sentences
Let’s try to dovetail our schedules so we can meet up.
natural
Their skills really dovetail with what the team needs.
natural
The new policy is designed to dovetail with existing regulations.
natural
The pieces of wood dovetail perfectly.
basic
Our plans dovetail with theirs.
basic
Her ideas dovetail nicely with the project.
basic