What does tailless mean?
Tailless is an adjective meaning without a tail. It applies most often to animals and other living organisms, particularly species whose normal body form lacks a tail, but it can also describe objects, clothing, or designs from which a tail has been removed or omitted. In biological contexts, the term may describe a mature animal whose young form has a tail, as with frogs, whose tadpoles have tails but whose adults do not. The word is descriptive and formal, and it focuses on the absence of a normally expected feature. Tailless is related in meaning to such expressions as “without a tail,” but it is more concise and often sounds technical. It should not be confused with headless, which refers to the absence of a head.
adjectiveHaving no tail, or lacking a tail of the usual or expected kind. The word is commonly used in zoology and biology, as well as for objects, garments, and animals characterized by the absence of a tail.
- Having no tail or lacking a tail.
- Existing without a tail that would normally be present or expected.
"The zoo keeps several tailless species, including certain amphibians and reptiles."
"The amphibian is tailless throughout its adult life."
"The museum displayed a tailless garment from an early modern collection."
A frog may begin life as a tailed tadpole but become tailless as an adult.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tailless come from?
Tailless is a transparent English formation from the noun tail and the suffix -less, meaning “without” or “lacking.” Tail comes from Old English tæl, while the -less suffix developed from Old English lēas, meaning “without” or “destitute of.” The combination is therefore etymologically modern even though both of its components are old.
Related word forms
How tailless is actually used
The word is formal and descriptive rather than colloquial. It is especially common in biological and zoological writing, while figurative uses generally emphasize the absence of something that might normally be expected.
Easily confused with tailless
Tailless means lacking a tail, whereas headless means lacking a head.