uptight

adjective

up·​tight ˈəp-ˈtīt 

(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt

1

a

: being tense, nervous, or uneasy

uptight overachievers

b

: angry, indignant

getting uptight over little things

c

: rigidly conventional

an uptight conservative

2

: being in financial difficulties

uptightness

(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of uptight

• worried
• nervous
• upset
• anxious
• uneasy
• troubled

Examples of uptight in a Sentence

If our flight is delayed, there's nothing we can do. There's no reason to get so uptight about it.

I don't know why people are so uptight about sex.

Recent Examples on the Web

The service From the valets to the front desk, the wait staff to the receptionist at the spa, the service was consistently warm and responsive without being uptight. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026

The film also stars Mason Gooding, Chase Sui Wonders, Johnny Knoxville, Margaret Cho, Roxane Mesquida, Daveed Diggs and Charli xcx – a stretch playing the uptight girlfriend of the twentysomething whose fantasies are brought to life by his boss. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026

Because for the most part, Caroline comes off as a rigid uptight shrew. —Lisa Depaulo, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026

Corie is free-spirited, while Paul is an uptight lawyer. —Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for uptight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

uptight

adjective

up·​tight ˈəp-ˈtīt 

(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt, 

ˌəp-ˌtīt

: being tense, nervous, or uneasy