tight
10 ENTRIES FOUND:
tighter;
tightest
tighter;
tightest
Britannica Dictionary definition of TIGHT
1
:
difficult to move
:
fastened, attached, or held in a position that is not easy to move
—
opposite loose
-
The lid is too tight. I can't loosen it.
-
She made a tight knot in the rope.
-
Keep a tight grip/hold on his hand when you cross the street.
3
:
flat or firm from being pulled or stretched
—
opposite loose
-
a tight wire/string
-
Pull the ribbon tight and make a bow.
4
:
tense or stiff
:
not relaxed
—
opposite loose
-
Her muscles were tight.
-
His throat/chest felt tight.
-
a tight smile
-
She answered in a tight voice.
5
:
hard and muscular
-
an athlete with a tight stomach/body
-
He has tight abs.
6
:
having parts that are very close together
—
see also airtight, watertight
-
The cat was curled into a tight ball.
-
a fabric with a tight weave
-
The swimming goggles should create a tight seal around your eyes.
7
:
not having or allowing much room
-
Space was tight at their first home. [=their first home was small; they did not have much room]
-
There's a tight space you can crawl through underneath the house.
-
The tunnel gets pretty tight up ahead.
-
We got everything into the suitcase, but it was a tight squeeze. [=the suitcase was very full/packed]
8
:
not having or allowing much time
-
We are on a tight schedule.
-
The project has a very tight deadline.
-
Time was tight, so we couldn't stay long.
9
:
close or equal in score, progress, or ability
-
It was a very tight race/game.
-
It was one of the tightest presidential elections in history.
-
The teams play in a tight division.
10
:
not allowing much freedom
:
strict about controlling what happens
-
She kept a tight hand on the business. [=she controlled the business in a very strict way]
-
The mayor put tighter security in place for the concert.
-
He has people working for him, but he has/keeps a tight rein on every part of the process.
11
:
difficult or awkward
-
You've put me in a tight spot. [=a difficult position]
-
They were in a tight spot financially. [=they did not have much money; they were having financial problems]
12
a
:
low in supply
:
not easily available
-
We can't afford a vacation right now because money is tight. [=scarce]
-
Jobs are tight right now. [=there are not many jobs available right now]
b
— used to describe a situation that is difficult because there is not enough of something
-
Things have been a little tight [=money has been scarce] since I lost my job.
-
a tight job market [=a situation in which there are few jobs]
13
informal + usually disapproving
:
not giving or spending money freely
:
stingy or cheap
-
He's pretty tight with his money.
14
:
having a close personal or professional relationship
— often + with
-
We've been tight [=very friendly] for a long time.
-
a tight group of friends
-
She's tight with the boss.
15
:
curving or changing direction suddenly
-
There is a tight [=sharp] bend in the road up ahead.
-
Make a tight right turn at the traffic light.
16
informal + old-fashioned
:
very drunk
-
getting tight at a bar
run a tight ship
— tightly
adverb-
The shirt fits too tightly around the arms.
-
The luggage was secured tightly to the top of the car.
-
Hold on tightly to the railing.
-
shelves packed tightly with books
-
a tightly knit [=tight-knit] family
— tightness
noun [noncount]-
He felt some muscle tightness in his back.
2
tight
/ˈtaɪt/
adverb
2
tight
/ˈtaɪt/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of TIGHT
:
in a tight way
-
Hold on tight.
-
Is the door shut tight?
-
She screwed the cap on tight.
-
Don't close the lid so tight.
-
We were packed as tight as sardines on the bus.
