Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The state or quality of being tactful.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From tactful +‎ -ness

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Examples

  • Sophia was certain that the notion of tactfulness had not entered

    The Old Wives' Tale Arnold Bennett 1899

  • Colville, it will be remembered, was an adept at that graceful tactfulness which is somewhat clumsily described by this tolerant generation as going on as if nothing had happened.

    The Last Hope Henry Seton Merriman 1882

  • Colville, it will be remembered, was an adept at that graceful tactfulness which is somewhat clumsily described by this tolerant generation as going on as if nothing had happened.

    The Last Hope Henry Seton Merriman 1882

  • "By saying this, Obama basically made it clear for official Ankara that only opening the border can make him display further 'tactfulness' and to refrain form using the word

    Armenianow 2009

  • "By saying this, Obama basically made it clear for official Ankara that only opening the border can make him display further 'tactfulness' and to refrain form using the word

    Armenianow 2009

  • Beginning Feb. 3 is The Year of the Rabbit signifying luck, tactfulness and thoughtfulness--for the Chinese New Year--and there are a lot of yummy goings-on that may or may not have to do with the special occasion.

    Audarshia Townsend: Hop Along to These Haute Cuisine Spots Audarshia Townsend 2011

  • Beginning Feb. 3 is the Year of the Rabbit signifying luck, tactfulness and thoughtfulness and there are a lot of yummy goings-on that may or may not have to do with the special occasion.

    Audarshia Townsend: Hop Along to These Haute Cuisine Spots Audarshia Townsend 2011

  • We need to move on with the issues like she said and I think Obama has already moved on, with tactfulness and determination to bring this country together.

    Michelle Obama: Let's move past Wright, get back to issues 2008

  • Delivering on that kind of promise requires a lot of tactfulness, diplomacy, and people skills, which Hutchison appears to lack, based on her testy response.

    Republican Susan Hutchison: "I don't have anything to say to the voters" 2009

  • The Romans lived through the long and peaceful reign of Augustus, barely recognising, until Tiberius and Caligula, how, with the most delicate republican tactfulness in shuffling offices, he had equipped them, if not with a king, certainly with a master.

    2009 July 08 « Sigmund, Carl and Alfred 2009

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