Entail Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ɛnˈteɪl/

Part of Speech

Verb

Definition

To involve or require something as a necessary part of a particular situation or set of circumstances. To make necessary or inevitable as a consequence or result. To be the cause of something that follows as a consequence or result.

Examples

1. “A new policy entails a change in the way we work.”

2. “Her decision entails giving up her job and moving to another country.”

Synonyms

1. Involve

2. Imply

3. Require

Antonyms

1. Exclude

2. Omit

3. Avoid

Additional Information

Entail can be used in various contexts, including business, relationships, and personal decisions. It is often used to describe a situation where a particular action or decision leads to a specific consequence or outcome. For example, “Taking on a new project entails working longer hours and managing a team.” Entail can also be used to describe a situation where a particular characteristic or quality is inherent or necessary, such as “Being a good leader entails having strong communication skills.”

Entail is often confused with the word “imply,” but while both words can be used to describe a situation where one thing leads to another, they have slightly different meanings. Imply typically suggests a weaker or more indirect connection between two things, whereas entail suggests a stronger or more direct connection.

Entail can also be used in formal or technical contexts, such as in law or medicine, to describe a situation where a particular action or decision has specific consequences or outcomes. For example, “Signing a contract entails agreeing to the terms and conditions outlined in the document.”

Etymology

Entail comes from the Old French word “entailer,” which means “to bring about” or “to cause.” It is derived from the Latin words “in” and “taliare,” which mean “in” and “to bring about,” respectively.

Usage Notes

Entail is often used in formal or technical contexts, but it can also be used in informal conversations to describe a situation where one thing leads to another. It is often used in the present tense, but it can also be used in the past tense to describe a situation that has already occurred.

Cultural References

Entail has been used in various cultural references, including literature and film. For example, in the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, the character Mr. Darcy’s entailment of his estate to his cousin is a significant plot point.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

1. “Entail a risk” – to involve a risk or danger

2. “Entail a cost” – to involve a financial cost or expense

Collocations

1. Entail a change

2. Entail a risk

3. Entail a cost

Frequency of Use

Entail is not a commonly used word in everyday conversation, but it is often used in formal or technical contexts. It has a frequency score of 1.4 on the Google Ngram scale, which indicates that it is relatively rare.

Common Misspellings

1. Entale

2. Entaile

3. Entaill