Definition

Noun 1. The final or concluding part of something: The very last portion or segment of an event, period, or object. 2. (Informal) The buttocks: The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on.

Usage and Examples

• As the final part:
  • We only caught the tail end of the concert.
  • He arrived in the tail end of the 19th century.
  • I heard the tail end of their conversation.
• (Informal) As the buttocks:
  • He slipped and landed on his tail end.

Advanced Usage

• "The tail end of [something]": This is the most common structure, used to specify what is concluding.
  • She joined the project at the tail end of its development phase.

Variants and Related Words

• Tail (noun): The hindmost part of an animal, or anything resembling it. Also used metaphorically for the end part of something (e.g., ).
• End (noun): A final part of something.
• Fag end (noun, chiefly British): The last and least desirable part of something.

Synonyms

• For the final part: End, conclusion, close, finale, culmination, fag end.
• (Informal) For the buttocks: Buttocks, behind, rear, bottom, fanny.

Notes on Meaning

The two meanings are distinct. The primary and more common meaning refers to time or sequence (the last part). The informal meaning for "buttocks" is derived from the idea of being the rear or back part of the body. Context always makes the intended meaning clear.

Noun

1. the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
   • he deserves a good kick in the butt
   • are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?
2. any projection that resembles the tail of an animal
3. the time of the last part of something
   • the fag end of this crisis-ridden century
   • the tail of the storm