tight
Adjective:
- Firmly fixed or fastened; not loose: Describes something securely closed, held, or attached, leaving no slack.
- Stretched or drawn out fully; taut: Describes a rope, string, or material that is under tension.
- Fitting closely to the body; constricting: Describes clothing that fits very closely, sometimes uncomfortably so.
- Leaving little room for movement; packed closely together: Describes objects or people positioned with very little space between them.
- Difficult to deal with or escape from; problematic: Describes a difficult situation or predicament.
- Characterized by scarcity or strictness: Describes a market, money supply, or security measures that are restricted or rigorous.
- (Informal) Very drunk: Describes a state of severe intoxication.
Adverb:
- Firmly, securely, or closely: Describes the manner of holding, closing, or fitting something.
Adjective:
- Make sure the lid is tight so nothing spills. (Describing a securely fastened lid.)
- The tight rope was stretched between the two poles. (Describing a taut rope.)
- These jeans are too tight; I need a larger size. (Describing constricting clothing.)
- The passengers stood in a tight group at the bus stop. (Describing people packed closely.)
- He found himself in a tight spot after missing the deadline. (Describing a difficult situation.)
- Credit is tight during an economic recession. (Describing a scarce money supply.)
- After three beers, he was feeling pretty tight. (Informal: describing being drunk.)
Adverb:
- Hold on tight to the railing. (Describes holding firmly.)
- She closed the door tight. (Describes closing securely.)
"To run a tight ship": To manage an organization or group in a very strict and efficient way.
- The new manager runs a tight ship, so be punctual for all meetings.
"To be in a tight corner/spot": To be in a difficult or dangerous situation with limited options.
- The scandal put the politician in a tight spot.
"Air-tight / Water-tight": (As a combining form) So closely made as to be impermeable to air or water; also used figuratively to mean having no flaws or loopholes.
- They stored the food in an air-tight container.
- The lawyer prepared a water-tight contract.
Tighten (verb): To make or become tight or tighter.
- You need to tighten the screws.
Tightly (adverb): In a tight manner.
- The package was tightly wrapped.
Tight-fisted (adjective): Unwilling to spend money; stingy. (A compound word listed separately as a variant).
- He's too tight-fisted to donate to charity.
Tightrope (noun): A tightly stretched rope or wire on which acrobats perform. (A compound word listed separately as a variant).
- The performer walked carefully on the tightrope.
- Adjective: Taut, constricting, close, snug, strict, stringent, difficult, scarce.
- Adverb: Firmly, securely, fast.
Sit tight: To remain in one's place patiently and wait.
- Just sit tight; help is on the way.
Sleep tight: (An idiom often used as a phrasal verb) A friendly way to wish someone a good night's sleep.
- Good night, sleep tight!
Keep a tight rein on (someone/something): To control someone or something very strictly.
- The teacher kept a tight rein on the noisy classroom.
Tight-lipped: Unwilling to speak; secretive.
- The officials were tight-lipped about the investigation details.
- in an attentive manner
- he remained close on his guard
- firmly or closely
- held fast to the rope
- her foot was stuck fast
- held tight
- packed closely together
- they stood in a tight little group
- hair in tight curls
- the pub was packed tight
- demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
- rigorous discipline
- tight security
- stringent safety measures
- exasperatingly difficult to handle or circumvent
- a nasty problem
- a good man to have on your side in a tight situation
- very drunk
- (of a contest or contestants) evenly matched
- a close contest
- a close election
- a tight game
- securely or solidly fixed in place; rigid
- the bolts are tight
- of textiles
- a close weave
- smooth percale with a very tight weave
- of such close construction as to be impermeable
- a tight roof
- warm in our tight little house
- affected by scarcity and expensive to borrow
- tight money
- a tight market
- (used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity
- a mean person
- he left a miserly tip
- pressed tightly together
- with lips compressed
- set so close together as to be invulnerable to penetration
- in tight formation
- a tight blockade
- pulled or drawn tight
- taut sails
- a tight drumhead
- a tight rope
- closely constrained or constricted or constricting
- tight skirts
- he hated tight starched collars
- fingers closed in a tight fist
- a tight feeling in his chest