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
3
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
4
: characterized by little difference in the relative positions of contestants with respect to final outcome : close
a tight race for mayor
5
a
: characterized by firmness or strictness in control or application or in attention to details
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 performance
6
: having a close personal or working relationship : intimate
is tight with the boss
7
: being such that the subject fills the frame
a tight close-up
8
: somewhat drunk
tightly
adverb
tightness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of tight in a Sentence
Adjective
The lid is too tight. I can't loosen it.
She made a tight knot in the rope.
Keep a tight grip on his hand when you cross the street.
Pull the ribbon tight and make a bow.
Adverb
Is the door shut tight?
She screwed the cap on tight.
Don't close the lid so tight.
We were packed as tight as sardines on the bus.
Recent Examples on the Web
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Juicy averts his eyes, but the two young men are tight, not unlike Hamlet and Horatio — if Only Fans were around when Shakespeare was writing.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Kris Bryant, who hit a two-run homer in the Rockies’ 10-7 win over the Rays on Friday, sat out Saturday’s game because of a tight back.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2024
In fact, some HR experts worry that strict rules banning workplace relationships could push workers away in a tight labor market.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
Stretch it out: wind down with gentle movements Take some time before climbing into your rest nest to gently stretch out any tight areas or sore spots.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Mary had married for power and financial security, but Sir George’s death in 1606 left her in a tight spot with four children to raise.
—TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The injuries neutralized each other to create a thrilling, tight game.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
David Zinn’s set design, all framed with a flashy vaudeville-esque proscenium arch, is a grand playing field, even if the staging does push the action into strangely tight spaces and leaves too much empty space.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2024
Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
And the fashion world has held tight to the aesthetic.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
Terrell's eyes were clenched tight in nervous anticipation as the winning name was announced at show's end.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
Rodriguez said she was told to sit tight and that a fix was coming soon.
—Bella Aldrete, NBC News, 16 Mar. 2024
In some ways, this shift felt entirely predictable, as if a rubber band stretched tight had snapped back to laxity.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 5 Mar. 2024
In the process, some people get bumped by bags while others try to sit tight to avoid the mayhem.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
Fans at the shows are undoubtedly going to hold their partners tight and howl along when Amigo the Devil plays it.
—Jon Freeman, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024
Because the ninth-place Lakers – a yo-yo-ing 27-25 entering play Thursday against the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets – clung tight to their core.
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2024
Adjective
That signals the labor market remains tighter than it was compared to before the pandemic.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Juicy averts his eyes, but the two young men are tight, not unlike Hamlet and Horatio — if Only Fans were around when Shakespeare was writing.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Kris Bryant, who hit a two-run homer in the Rockies’ 10-7 win over the Rays on Friday, sat out Saturday’s game because of a tight back.
—Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2024
In fact, some HR experts worry that strict rules banning workplace relationships could push workers away in a tight labor market.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
Stretch it out: wind down with gentle movements Take some time before climbing into your rest nest to gently stretch out any tight areas or sore spots.
—Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Mary had married for power and financial security, but Sir George’s death in 1606 left her in a tight spot with four children to raise.
—TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
The injuries neutralized each other to create a thrilling, tight game.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
David Zinn’s set design, all framed with a flashy vaudeville-esque proscenium arch, is a grand playing field, even if the staging does push the action into strangely tight spaces and leaves too much empty space.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2024
Adverb
These fish will be suspending now rather than holding tight to the bottom, so your best approach is to cover a lot of water by slow-trolling small crankbaits like the Bandit 100 and Bomber Model A. Target the deep ends of gravel flats, major points at tributary mouths, and creek-channel drops.
—Don Wirth, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2024
And the fashion world has held tight to the aesthetic.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
Terrell's eyes were clenched tight in nervous anticipation as the winning name was announced at show's end.
—Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
Rodriguez said she was told to sit tight and that a fix was coming soon.
—Bella Aldrete, NBC News, 16 Mar. 2024
In some ways, this shift felt entirely predictable, as if a rubber band stretched tight had snapped back to laxity.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 5 Mar. 2024
In the process, some people get bumped by bags while others try to sit tight to avoid the mayhem.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
Fans at the shows are undoubtedly going to hold their partners tight and howl along when Amigo the Devil plays it.
—Jon Freeman, SPIN, 8 Mar. 2024
Because the ninth-place Lakers – a yo-yo-ing 27-25 entering play Thursday against the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets – clung tight to their core.
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
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
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of tight was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing tight
Dictionary Entries Near tight
Cite this Entry
“Tight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tight. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
tight
1 of 2 adjective1
: so close in structure as not to allow something (as liquid, gas, or light) to pass through
a tight roof
2
a
: fixed very firmly in place
loosen a tight jar cover
b
: not slack or loose
kept the rope tight
a tight knot
c
: fitting too closely
tight shoes
3
: difficult to get through or out of
in a tight spot
on a tight schedule
4
a
: firm in control
kept a tight hand on affairs
b
5
: very closely packed or compressed
a tight bale of hay
6
: low in supply : scarce
money is tight just now
tightly
adverb
tightness
noun
tight
2 of 2 adverb1
a
: in a tight manner
hold on tight
b
: so as to be tight
shut the door tight
wound the spring tight
2
: in a deep and uninterrupted manner : soundly
sleep tight
More from Merriam-Webster on tight
Nglish: Translation of tight for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tight for Arabic Speakers
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