Main Entry:

¹tight

Pronunciation:

\ˈtīt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English tiht, thyht dense, solid, watertight, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse thēttr tight; akin to Middle High German dīhte thick, Sanskrit tanakti it causes to coagulate

Date:

14th century

1 a: 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>2 a: 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>3chiefly dialect : capable, competent4 a: 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>5: characterized by little difference in the relative positions of contestants with respect to final outcome : close <a tight race for mayor>6: somewhat drunk7 a: characterized by firmness or strictness in control or application or in attention to details <tight zoning codes> <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 performance8: having a close personal or working relationship : intimate <in tight with the boss>9: being such that the subject fills the frame <filming a tight close-up>

— tight·ly adverb

— tight·ness noun