What does tactless mean?
Tactless is an adjective describing speech, behavior, or actions that lack consideration for other people's feelings. A tactless remark may be factually relevant but still cause embarrassment, offense, or awkwardness because of how it is expressed. The word is often used with terms such as remark, comment, joke, question, and behavior. It is close in meaning to insensitive, thoughtless, and indelicate, but generally focuses on a failure of social judgment rather than simply a lack of thought. Its opposite is tactful, meaning careful and considerate in what one says or does. Recognizing the word can help distinguish whether a difficult comment was poorly timed or phrased, even if its underlying subject was legitimate.
adjectiveLacking tact; insensitive, thoughtless, or inappropriate in the way something is said or done.
- Lacking tact or sensitivity toward the feelings and reactions of others.
- Done or expressed in a way that is inappropriate, insensitive, or likely to cause offense.
"His tactless remark made the conversation awkward for everyone."
"It was tactless of him to bring up the argument at the celebration."
"The apology itself seemed tactless, adding insult to injury."
A tactless remark can reveal what someone knows while unintentionally destroying the conversation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tactless come from?
Tactless is formed from the noun tact, meaning sensitivity in dealing with others and the ability to avoid causing offense. Tact was borrowed from French, ultimately from Latin tactus, a past participle of tangere, meaning to touch. The suffix -less means without, so the word literally suggests being without tact. Related English words include tactile, tangible, contact, and intact, all associated with the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How tactless is actually used
Generally used to describe remarks, behavior, questions, or jokes that are insensitive or poorly judged. It is common in formal and informal English, though the tone can range from mild criticism to strong disapproval.
Easily confused with tactless
Tactful means considerate and sensitive in how one says or does something, whereas tactless means the opposite.