Definition of "nail" in English

noun

1. The thin, horny plate at the ends of fingers and toes on humans and some other animals.

   • When I'm nervous I bite my nails.

2. The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain hemiptera.

3. The terminal horny plate on the beak of ducks, and other allied birds.

4. The claw of a bird or other animal.

5. A spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials. The nail is generally driven through two or more layers of material by means of impacts from a hammer or other device. It is then held in place by friction.

6. A round pedestal on which merchants once carried out their business, such as the four nails outside The Exchange, Bristol.

7. An archaic English unit of length equivalent to ¹⁄₂₀ of an ell or ¹⁄₁₆ of a yard (2+¹⁄₄ inches or 5.715 cm).

verb

1. (transitive) To fix (an object) to another object using a nail.

   • He nailed the placard to the post.

2. (intransitive) To drive a nail.

   • He used the ax head for nailing.

3. (transitive) To stud or boss with nails, or as if with nails.

4. (slang) To catch.

5. (transitive, slang) To expose as a sham.

6. (transitive, slang) To accomplish (a task) completely and successfully.

   • I really nailed that test.

7. (transitive, slang) To hit (a target) effectively with some weapon.

8. (transitive, vulgar, slang) Of a male, to engage in sexual intercourse with.

9. (military) To spike, as a cannon.

10. (transitive) To nail down: to make certain, or confirm.

11. (slang, transitive, obsolete) To steal.