verb

entail

to involve, to require, to necessitate

The job entails a lot of hard work.

The job entails a lot of hard work.

This project will entail considerable expense.

This project will entail considerable expense.

((sth.)) to involve (sth.) as a necessary part or consequence The job entails a lot of travel.

((doing sth.)) to involve (doing sth.) as a necessary part or consequence The plan entails building a new bridge.

Synonyms: involve, require, necessitate; Antonyms: exclude, omit

From Old French 'entaillier' meaning 'to cut into, to carve', from 'en-' (in) + 'taillier' (to cut). The sense evolved to 'impose a burden'.

Think of a 'tail' attached to a decision. The decision 'entails' its tail of consequences.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.