Definition

To lift the tail of a whale out of the water and then bring it down forcefully, creating a splash.

Example

The whale lobtailed several times, sending water spraying into the air.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see that whale lobtail the other day at the beach?

Yeah, it was amazing to watch!

I didn’t know they lobtail like that to communicate.

It’s fascinating how they express themselves in the water.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lobtail → The word originates from the combination of 'lob' (from the dialectal English 'lob', meaning to move clumsily or awkwardly) and 'tail' (meaning the rear part of an animal). The term 'lobtail' refers to the action of a whale or similar animal moving its tail in a clumsy or exaggerated manner, often seen when breaching the water's surface.

Memory Tip

Imagine a whale moving its tail in a clumsy way — 'lob' suggests awkward movement, and 'tail' is the rear part of the animal. This helps you remember that 'lobtail' describes that specific action.

Visually Confused Words