tight

1 of 2

adjective

ˈtīt 

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

9

chiefly dialectal : capable, competent

tightly adverb

tightness noun

tight

2 of 2

adverb

1

: fast, tightly, firmly

the door was shut tight

2

: in a sound manner : soundly

sleep tight

Synonyms

Adjective

• thick
• close
• impermeable
• snug
• dense
• impervious
• impenetrable

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

Adjective

The timeline is tight—most growth drivers need to materialize before 2028—but the groundwork is established. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Powell is in a tight spot because the U.S. rate of inflation is still above 3%. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 26 June 2025

Adverb

The former governor, of course, held tight in places that were to be expected, including monied Manhattan, with support around the literal perimeter of Central Park below 100th Street on the East and West Sides. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 25 June 2025

So there’s a kind of truce that’s held, with the fashion folk holding tight to their mood boards and the finance gang following their tickers. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 13 June 2025

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

Phrases Containing tight

• close/tight finish
• hang tight
• hug-me-tight
• in a tight corner
• on a small/tight/shoestring budget
• run a tight ship
• sit tight
• sleep tight
• tight-ass
• tight end
• tight-knit
• tight-lipped
• tight-mouthed
• tight schedule
• tight squeeze
• wired (a little) too tight/tightly

Rhymes for tight

• bight
• bite
• blight
• byte
• cite
• dight
• fight
• fite
• flight
• fright
• height
• hight

Kids Definition

tight

1 of 2 adjective

ˈtīt 

1

: 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

: stingy sense 1

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 adverb

1

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