Entry Word: tight

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 not allowing penetration (as by gas, liquid, or light) <a tight hull that was no match for an iceberg>

Synonyms impenetrable, impermeable, impervious

Related Words close, compact, dense, snug, thick; airtight, hermetic, watertight; lightproof, soundproof, waterproof

Near Antonyms absorbent, leaky, porous, unsealed

Antonyms penetrable, permeable

2 firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge <a tight screw that won't come loose> <a jar with a tight lid>

Synonyms fast, firm, frozen, jammed, lodged, secure, set, snug, stuck, wedged

Related Words bonded, cemented, glued; anchored, clamped; embedded, entrenched (also intrenched), implanted; attached, bound, fastened, secured; immovable, unyielding

Near Antonyms detached, dislodged, freed, loosened, unattached, unbound, undone, unfastened, unsecured; movable (or moveable), yielding

Antonyms insecure, loose

3 giving or sharing as little as possible <is fairly tight with his money> — see stingy 1
4 having little space between items or parts <it's tight in that packed nightclub> — see close 1
5 showing little difference in the standing of the competitors <a tight race for governor> — see close 3
6 stretched with little or no give <the rope was pulled tight> — see taut