tackle
/ˈtækəl/noun, verb
tackle is spelled T-A-C-K-L-E: 6 letters and 2 syllables. It appears 14 times per million words in written English, the 5,595th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, tackle means “A device for grasping an object and an attached means of moving it, as a rope and hook” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of tackle is tackles.
How many letters and syllables are in tackle?
| Letters | 6: T-A-C-K-L-E |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 14 times per million words; the 5,595th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is tackle?
Tackle appears 14 times per million words in written English, the 5,595th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce tackle?
- /ˈtækəl/
- [ˈtʰækɫ̩]
Tackle has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-tackle.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of tackle
- tackles plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- tackling participle, present
- tackled participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does tackle mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A device for grasping an object and an attached means of moving it, as a rope and hook.
- 2
A block and tackle.
- 3
slangClothing.
- 4
Equipment (rod, reel, line, lure, etc.) used when angling.
- 5
informalEquipment, gear, gadgetry.
- 6
A play where a player attempts to take control over the ball from an opponent, as in rugby or football.
- 7
A play where a defender brings the ball carrier to the ground.
- 8
Any instance in which one person intercepts another and forces them to the ground.
verb
- 1
To force a person to the ground with the weight of one's own body, usually by jumping on top or slamming one's weight into them.
- 2
To face or deal with, attempting to overcome or fight down.
The government's measures to tackle crime were insufficient.
- 3
To attempt to take away a ball.
- 4
To bring a ball carrier to the ground.
- 5
colloquialTo "hit on" or pursue a person that one is interested in.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Tackle in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| German | Angel , Tackling , in Angriff nehmen, angehen |
| Spanish | equipo, aparejo, jarcia , entrada , tacleada, placaje |
| French | tacle m plaquage , combattre, affronter , placage , tacler , plaquer |
| Portuguese | desarme , enfrentar, combater |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does tackle come from?
From Middle English takel (“gear, apparatus”), from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German takel (“ship's rigging”), perhaps related to Middle Dutch taken (“to grasp, seize”). Akin to Danish takkel (“tackle”), Swedish tackel (“tackle”). More at take.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).