tight
adjective
\ ˈtīt
\
\
Definition of tight
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: having elements close together
a tight formation a tight line of type
b
: so close in structure as to prevent passage or escape (as of liquid, gas, or light)
a tight ship a tight seal
— compare lightproof, watertight
c
: fitting very close to the body
tight jeans
also
: too snug
tight shoes
d(1)
: closely packed : very full
a tight bale of hay
(2)
: barely allowing time for completion
a tight schedule tight deadlines
e
: allowing little or no room for free motion or movement
a tight connection a tight crawl space
also
: having a small radius
a tight turn
2a
: strongly fixed or held : secure
a tight jar lid a tight grip on the ladder
b(1)
: not slack or loose : taut
kept the reins tight a tight knot a tight drumhead
also
: marked by firmness and muscle tone
a tight stomach
(2)
: marked by unusual tension (as in the face or body)
lips tight with anger a family tight with fear
3a
: difficult to cope with
in a tight spot financially
b
: relatively difficult to obtain
money is tight just now
also
: characterized by such difficulty
a tight job market
c
: not liberal in giving : stingy
tight with a penny
4
: characterized by little difference in the relative positions of contestants with respect to final outcome : close
a tight race for mayor
5a
: characterized by firmness or strictness in control or application or in attention to details
tight security ran a tight newsroom keeps a tight hand on her investments
b
: marked by control or discipline in expression or style : having little or no extraneous matter
tight writing
c
: characterized by a polished style and precise arrangements in music performance
6
: having a close personal or working relationship : intimate
is tight with the boss
7
: being such that the subject fills the frame
a tight close-up
8
: somewhat drunk
tight
adverbDefinition of tight (Entry 2 of 2)
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Synonyms & Antonyms for tight
Synonyms: Adjective
impenetrable, impermeable, impervious
Antonyms: Adjective
penetrable, permeable, pervious
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Examples of tight in a Sentence
Adjective
The lid is too tight. I can't loosen it. She made a tight knot in the rope. Keep a tight grip on his hand when you cross the street. Pull the ribbon tight and make a bow.Adverb
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.
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
The mesh between the quarterback and the running back got too tight. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, "What Mario Cristobal, Oregon players said after losing to Auburn," 1 Sep. 2019 The mesh between the quarterback and the running back got too tight. — oregonlive, "Oregon’s veteran-led offense misses numerous opportunities to put Auburn away, watches lead slip away," 1 Sep. 2019 The pair is tight in all of the right places, supporting my butt with all the courage of Atlas holding up the world. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "The Perfect Pants for Fall Aren’t Designer," 31 Aug. 2019 The script doesn’t always avoid canned sloganeering, and the pacing could be tighter. — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, "Kristen Stewart praised for Jean Seberg biopic performance as film divides critics," 30 Aug. 2019 The script doesn't always avoid canned sloganeering, and the pacing could be tighter. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Seberg': Film Review | Venice 2019," 30 Aug. 2019 The district could get even tighter with Paetow and Lake Creek both bringing back every letterwinner from their varsity debut seasons. — Jack Marrion, Houston Chronicle, "Lamar Consolidated, Paetow football making moves in 2019," 28 Aug. 2019 My little fists always squeezed so tight the cone would crumple, all the ice cream leaking out. — Beatrix M. Rooney, Longreads, "Heartbreaker," 9 Aug. 2019 Hand-Release Pushup Get into a straight-arm plank with hands under shoulders, feet hip-width apart, and core tight. — Rozalynn S. Frazier, Health.com, "These Chest Exercises Will Totally Transform Your Upper Body in 21 Days," 9 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb
By employing workers without legal status, the Trump Organization has an advantage over its competitors, particularly at a time when the economy is strong and the labor market tight, according to industry officials. — Joshua Partlow, BostonGlobe.com, "How a Trump construction crew has relied on immigrants without legal status," 9 Aug. 2019 By employing workers without legal status, the Trump Organization has an advantage over its competitors, particularly at a time when the economy is strong and the labor market tight, according to industry officials. — Anchorage Daily News, "How a Trump construction crew has relied on immigrants without legal status," 9 Aug. 2019 The game was tight until a four-run fifth that gave Beede a 7-1 lead. — Henry Schulman, SFChronicle.com, "Giants option Tyler Beede, Steven Duggar to Triple-A, recall pitcher Ray Black," 3 July 2019 The game was tight from the very beginning, with the Raptors and Warriors going head-to-head for points until the final seconds of play. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Toronto Raptors Defeat Golden State Warriors in Tight Game to Win Their First-Ever NBA Championship," 14 June 2019 The incredible thing for the Raptors is how tight this game is despite Kawhi Leonard having just 4 points and Marc Gasol having just 1. — Marc Stein, New York Times, "How the Raptors Won Their First N.B.A. Championship," 13 June 2019 For a newer dish, Chesa rolls Dungeness crab up tight in a wonton wrapper then lays each crispy cigar on a plate with flower petals, fish roe and a fresh green bean purée. — Michael Russell, oregonlive.com, "Ataula is Portland’s finest Spanish restaurant (2019 review)," 4 Aug. 2019 Dozens of families have been found packed tight into semi-trailers in recent weeks, while travel in secret compartments of vehicles is also common. — Washington Post, "Mexico officials detain more migrants as crackdown steps up," 23 June 2019 The beef is packed tight, forming a meatball inside the skin and almost squeaking under the teeth; still, the juices run. — Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, "Winter Salvation, Fresh From the Dumpling Steamer, in Queens," 16 Jan. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.