“Dovetail” means to fit together smoothly or neatly, just like the interlocking joints in carpentry. When two things dovetail, they match so well that they form one clear, unified plan or result.
In everyday life, people say their schedules “dovetail” when one meeting ends just as another begins, or they talk about how their goals “dovetail” with their partner’s so there’s no clash. A team might say their ideas “dovetail perfectly” when everyone’s suggestions line up without any extra tweaking.
Meaning & Usage Examples
• “Our vacation plans dovetail with yours, so let’s share the rental car.”
• “The new policy dovetails with last year’s guidelines—no need to rewrite everything.”
• “Her evening class dovetails with her day job, so she doesn’t waste time commuting.”
Context / Common Use
You’ll hear “dovetail” at work when calendars or strategies need to align. Friends use it for social plans, and project managers love it when tasks dovetail so deadlines don’t overlap. It’s a quick way to say “fits together without gaps.”
Is “dovetail” only about woodwork?
No. It started in carpentry, but now it’s everyday English for anything that matches up neatly.
Can I use “dovetail” for people?
Sure. You can say personalities, goals, or schedules dovetail when they blend without friction.
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