tighten

tight·en

verb \ˈtī-t^ən\

tight·enedtight·en·ing\ˈtīt-niŋ, ˈtī-t^ən-iŋ\

Definition of TIGHTEN

transitive verb

: to make tight or tighter

intransitive verb

: to become tight or tighter

— tight·en·er \ˈtīt-nər, ˈtī-t^ən-ər\ noun

— tighten one's belt

: to practice strict economy

Examples of TIGHTEN

1. She tightened her hold on the handle.
2. <tighten the straps on the backpack so that the load doesn't shift while hiking>

First Known Use of TIGHTEN

circa 1727

Related to TIGHTEN

Synonyms: strain, stretch, tauten, tense

Antonyms: loosen, slack, slacken

Related Words: elongate, extend, lengthen; cinch, constrict

Near Antonyms: ease, relax

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with TIGHTEN

brighten, Brighton, chitin, chiton, frighten, heighten, lighten, titan, triton, whiten