Tackle — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈta-kəl/ tack·le

Meaning & Definition of Tackle

Tackle (noun)

  1. a set of the equipment used in a particular activity, gear
  2. a ship's rigging
  3. an assemblage of ropes and pulleys arranged to gain mechanical advantage for hoisting and pulling

Tackle (verb)

  1. to seize, take hold of, or grapple with especially with the intention of stopping or subduing
  2. to seize and throw down or stop (an opposing player with the ball) in football
  3. to set about dealing with

Tackle (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. items needed for the performance of a task or activity

    "grabbed my fishing tackle and headed out early one morning"

    similar: accoutrements, apparatus, equipment, gear, hardware, kit (chiefly British), material(s), matériel, outfit, paraphernalia, stuff
    related: accessories, appurtenances, attachments, fittings, baggage, belongings, impedimenta, appliances, facilities, instruments, machinery, tools, apparel, attire, habiliments, raiment, trappings, armamentarium, armory, arsenal, battery, assets, resources

Tackle (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to start work on energetically

    "once I clean the kitchen, I think I'll tackle the bathroom"

    similar: attack, dive (into), wade (in or into), go at, have at, light into, pitch into, sail into, tear into
    related: address, approach, face, buckle (down to), concentrate (on), focus (on), knuckle down (to), zero (in on), fall (to), pitch in, plunge (in), settle (down), pursue, take up, undertake
    near: avoid, evade, shun, dally, dawdle, dillydally, fiddle (around), fool, idle, lag, mess, monkey (around), play, poke, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tackle

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tackle:

Chiefly British: kit
accoutrements, apparatus, equipment, gear, hardware, material(s), matériel, outfit, paraphernalia, stuff, attack, dive (into), wade (in or into), go at, have at, light into, pitch into, sail into, tear into

Related Words for Tackle

accessories, appurtenances, attachments, fittings, baggage, belongings, impedimenta, appliances, facilities, instruments, machinery, tools, apparel, attire, habiliments, raiment, trappings, armamentarium, armory, arsenal, battery, assets, resources, address, approach, face, buckle (down to), concentrate (on), focus (on), knuckle down (to)

Near Antonyms of Tackle

avoid, evade, shun, dally, dawdle, dillydally, fiddle (around), fool, idle, lag, mess, monkey (around), play, poke, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

Word Forms of Tackle

Inflections: tackled, tackling

Derived words: tackler (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Tackle

Middle English takel; akin to Middle Dutch takel ship's rigging

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Tackle

Words & Phrases Containing Tackle

block and tackle, gang-tackle, nose tackle

Frequently Asked Questions about Tackle

What does "Tackle" mean?

"Tackle" means a set of the equipment used in a particular activity, gear. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a set of the equipment used in a particular activity, gear. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Tackle"?

Other words for "Tackle" include accoutrements, apparatus, equipment, gear, hardware, kit, material(s) and matériel. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tackle" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tackle"?

There are 58 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tackle". Common alternatives include accoutrements, apparatus, equipment, gear, hardware, kit, material(s), matériel, outfit and paraphernalia.

How do you use "Tackle" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tackle" in a sentence: "grabbed my fishing tackle and headed out early one morning"; "once I clean the kitchen, I think I'll tackle the bathroom".

Is "Tackle" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Tackle" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Tackle" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Tackle" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Tackle"?

"Tackle" is pronounced /ˈta-kəl/ and divided into syllables as tack·le.

What is the origin of the word "Tackle"?

"Tackle" comes from Middle English takel; akin to Middle Dutch takel ship's rigging. First known use: 13th century.