When two things dovetail, they join or fit together compactly or harmoniously. This verb is often used to talk about ideas, plans, or pieces of information that are complementary or that seem to reinforce one another. This sense of the word comes from woodworking, where a dovetail is a type of joint formed of one or more tenons, or projections, fitting tightly within corresponding mortises, or notches. The joint is so named for its resemblance to (you guessed it!) a dove’s tail.

Taken literally, the adjective laughable means exactly what you might expect: causing laughter. But the term is not usually used appreciatively to describe funny movies or clever jokes; instead, laughable is usually used of things that provoke laughter for their preposterousness or improbability. The synonym ludicrous is more pointed still. Something that is ludicrous causes laughter because of its absurdity, or worse, it provokes or deserves derision. Related to the adjective ludic, “playful in an aimless way,” ludicrous entered English emphasizing triviality and playfulness. But nowadays the term is reserved for the illogical and outrageous.

The adjective stylish is about as variable and broad as standards of fashion themselves. So long as one is conforming to the latest fashions (which change all the time), he or she may be described as stylish. Dapper is more fixed. A person who is dapper or dressed in a dapper manner looks very neatly put together. This adjective suggests a tidy sophistication, and is typically used of men or men’s fashions. Stylish though it may be, a deliberately unkempt or casual look is not likely to be described as dapper.