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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Gutowski said that since the Fourth Circuit skews liberal and generally rules in favor of tighter gun law restrictions, Maryland would have good odds.
—Brianna Herlihy, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2023
As in any account of Napoleon’s life, there is an underlying comedy in the very attempt to squash an unruly mob of incidents into a tight dramatic space.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2023
With Felicia and Lenny watching, the sailors begin moving to the infectiously alive, jazzy music, their snaky hips and tight uniforms emphasizing the choreography’s muscular eroticism; and then a sailor beckons Lenny to join in the fun.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023
With 70 million people viewing, that was a big enough audience to gain advantage in a tight race.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
Find it on Amazon Organize Your Space With This Console Behind The Sofa
The narrow console table is designed to fit in tight spaces and offers multiple charging ports, providing functionality and convenience.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
And in tight races, states like Michigan matter a lot.
—CBS News, 12 Nov. 2023
Having been through an attack that caused millions in losses and generated a class action lawsuit from patients, the executive said that there needs to be a shift in thinking about these attacks, ones in which there is some assumption that they could have been prevented by tighter security.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2023
Kathy Barr, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
The doors of our heavily armored vehicle lock tight and a tense, (INAUDIBLE) journey begins.
—ABC News, 5 Nov. 2023
Sexiest Man Alive keeps busy by holding tight to his title.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023
Although slip-on logger boots are available, most prefer a lace-up that cinches tight around the calf, and prevents twigs and leaf litter from getting inside.
—Bob Beacham, Field & Stream, 25 Oct. 2023
And right now the data is saying to respect the lag of tightening monetary policy and sit tight.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 20 Oct. 2023
Molly’s arms are tucked tight at her sides, cloaked in her black dress; her face obscured by the mirror’s many fault lines, looking head-on into the camera with a wry grin.
—Blake Butler, Harper's Magazine, 11 Oct. 2023
With Sino-Soviet relations in a tailspin since the late 1950s, the best option was to hold tight to the Soviets, who promised to protect Mongolia from Chinese encroachment and to support its economic development.
—Tuvshinzaya Gantulga, Foreign Affairs, 6 Oct. 2023
Swaby keeps her circle tight, and you on the outside.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023
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Adjective
If your home office is tight on space, check out this compact file cabinet that’s 50 percent off.
—Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Gutowski said that since the Fourth Circuit skews liberal and generally rules in favor of tighter gun law restrictions, Maryland would have good odds.
—Brianna Herlihy, Fox News, 23 Nov. 2023
As in any account of Napoleon’s life, there is an underlying comedy in the very attempt to squash an unruly mob of incidents into a tight dramatic space.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2023
With Felicia and Lenny watching, the sailors begin moving to the infectiously alive, jazzy music, their snaky hips and tight uniforms emphasizing the choreography’s muscular eroticism; and then a sailor beckons Lenny to join in the fun.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023
With 70 million people viewing, that was a big enough audience to gain advantage in a tight race.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
Find it on Amazon Organize Your Space With This Console Behind The Sofa
The narrow console table is designed to fit in tight spaces and offers multiple charging ports, providing functionality and convenience.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
And in tight races, states like Michigan matter a lot.
—CBS News, 12 Nov. 2023
Having been through an attack that caused millions in losses and generated a class action lawsuit from patients, the executive said that there needs to be a shift in thinking about these attacks, ones in which there is some assumption that they could have been prevented by tighter security.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2023
Adverb
It’s specially formulated to keep your neck looking tight and beautiful.
—Kathy Barr, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
The doors of our heavily armored vehicle lock tight and a tense, (INAUDIBLE) journey begins.
—ABC News, 5 Nov. 2023
Sexiest Man Alive keeps busy by holding tight to his title.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023
Although slip-on logger boots are available, most prefer a lace-up that cinches tight around the calf, and prevents twigs and leaf litter from getting inside.
—Bob Beacham, Field & Stream, 25 Oct. 2023
And right now the data is saying to respect the lag of tightening monetary policy and sit tight.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 20 Oct. 2023
Molly’s arms are tucked tight at her sides, cloaked in her black dress; her face obscured by the mirror’s many fault lines, looking head-on into the camera with a wry grin.
—Blake Butler, Harper's Magazine, 11 Oct. 2023
With Sino-Soviet relations in a tailspin since the late 1950s, the best option was to hold tight to the Soviets, who promised to protect Mongolia from Chinese encroachment and to support its economic development.
—Tuvshinzaya Gantulga, Foreign Affairs, 6 Oct. 2023
Swaby keeps her circle tight, and you on the outside.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2023
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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 29 Nov. 2023.
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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