Words / C1

in-TAYL/ɪnˈteɪl/

To entail is to involve something as a necessary part or result: the job entails evenings. Involve is everyday and slightly looser; require is close when it is a condition. Entail is common in academic and official English. In speech, it means you have to or it involves is enough. An entail in old property law is a rare specialised noun; ignore it at C1 unless you read history.

Meaning

To involve something as a necessary part or result.

Examples

• “The job entails a lot of evening work.”
• “Taking the option entails an extra exam in June.”
• “True independence entails dull tasks as well as freedom.”

Good to know

entail + noun/-ing. Necessary part or result. Everyday: involve / mean you have to.

Near in meaning

involve

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