What does pintail mean?
A pintail is most commonly a kind of duck recognized by its slender neck, narrow body, and long, pointed central tail feathers. The northern pintail, the best-known species, occurs widely across Europe, Asia, and North America and is often seen in wetlands, marshes, and open fields. The word can also describe a tail that narrows to a sharp or tapering point, although this use is less frequent today. In birdwatching and wildlife contexts, “pintail” may stand alone for the northern pintail, while “pintail duck” is a more explicit alternative. The term is useful because it names a bird partly through one of its most recognizable physical features: the distinctive, pin-like arrangement of its tail feathers.
A dabbling duck with a slender neck and long, pointed central tail feathers, especially the northern pintail.
"The pintail landed among the reeds with a soft splash."
Used especially of the northern pintail; in British and American English, the unqualified form commonly refers to this species.
A tail that tapers to a narrow point, or a tail ending in such a point.
"The fox's bushy body ended in a narrow pintail."
This literal sense is less common than the ornithological sense and is often descriptive or literary.
The plural is used for multiple birds or multiple pointed tails, depending on the intended sense.
"Several pintails grazed beside the marsh."
A pintail's most distinctive feature is its long, needle-like central tail feathers, which give both the bird and the word their name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pintail come from?
The word “pintail” is a compound formed from “pin” and “tail,” originally referring to a pointed or tapering tail. The name was applied to ducks because of the long, narrow central feathers that extend beyond the rest of the tail. The compound is English in formation, while its components have older Germanic and Germanic roots respectively. The related adjective “pintailed” describes a bird, animal, or object with such a pointed tail.
Related word forms
How pintail is actually used
In modern English, the word most often refers to the northern pintail, a widespread duck of wetlands and open water. The literal sense for a tapering tail is less common and is somewhat literary or descriptive.