# tailspin

> English word · Noun · frequency rank #65,553

## Definitions
1. The rapid, uncontrollable descent of an aircraft in a steep spiral.
2. A severe mental or emotional collapse; emotional breakdown.
3. Any sharp, sustained, often uncontrollable descent or decline.

## Etymology
From tail + spin.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/tailspin