tight

\ ˈtīt

Definition of tight

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

3a : 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

5a : 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

tight

adverb

Definition of tight (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : fast, tightly, firmly the door was shut tight

2 : in a sound manner : soundly sleep tight

Other Words from tight Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about tight

Keep scrolling for more

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 But the Los Angeles offense does use two-tight-end sets 20 percent of the time. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "Gerald Everett: ‘A big-time, versatile playmaker’," 18 Oct. 2020 Reich took particular issue with Rivers’ first interception, a devastating pick-six at the start of the second half that never should have been thrown with Browns safety Ronnie Harrison in tight coverage on T.Y. Hilton. — Joel A. Erickson, The Indianapolis Star, "Frank Reich says defense of ugly Philip Rivers game 'was probably dramatic and overdone'," 13 Oct. 2020 But Collins was playing tight coverage, read the play well and jumped in front of Fitzgerald to steal the pass. — Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "How the Detroit Lions' defense emphatically broke out of a turnover drought," 28 Sep. 2020 The second pass of Michael Pratt’s college career was a dangerous throw to the sideline against tight coverage. Zing. — G Smith, NOLA.com, "Tulane QB Michael Pratt cements his status as starter in win vs. Southern Miss: 'It was a blast'," 26 Sep. 2020 Upon seeing tight coverage, Cousins looks left and pats the ball once — which is all the hesitation needed for an interior D-line twist to create pressure up the middle. — Andrew Krammer, Star Tribune, "Film review: Kirk Cousins' struggles vs. Colts; growing pains for 2019 draft class," 22 Sep. 2020 Jefferson caught a wonderful sideline pass from Jared Goff for 31 yards on Cowboys second-round pick Trevon Diggs, who provided tight coverage. — Calvin Watkins, Dallas News, "Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb not satisfied with his NFL debut: ‘I feel like there’s a lot more that I left on the table’," 19 Sep. 2020 The Ravens sacked Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield twice and hurried him six other times, but that was the result of tight coverage. — Mike Preston, baltimoresun.com, "Despite big win in season opener, Ravens still have problems to solve | COMMENTARY," 15 Sep. 2020 Last week, Garoppolo floated an across-the-field pass off his back foot into tight coverage near the goal line that was easily intercepted by cornerback Richard Sherman. — Eric Branch, SFChronicle.com, "Has 49ers’ Garoppolo improved? Training camp didn’t answer the question," 31 Aug. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb With him was his young son-in-law — decked out in striped, tight-fitting pants, Fabrizio said. — Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, "Eddie Van Halen's Michigan family opens up about the real rock god," 17 Oct. 2020 The activists argue Unibail can afford to sit tight. — Carol Ryan, WSJ, "Westfield’s Owner Offers Two Unappealing Deals," 15 Oct. 2020 On the way down, Mr. Piccard, typically calm and coolheaded, had the crew practice bracing for the inevitable crash landing by holding tight to the basket’s edges. — Penelope Green, New York Times, "Don Piccard, a Pioneer Who Soared, Is Dead at 94," 13 Oct. 2020 The Outer Banks were very isolated from mainland North Carolina and from the mainland South until the twentieth century, and the community, white and Black, was small, interconnected, and relatively tight-knit. — Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, "David Wright Faladé on Complicated Backstories," 24 Aug. 2020 In provincial China, literary communities tend to be tight-knit, and writers learn to be thick-skinned and resourceful. — Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, "Nine Days in Wuhan, the Ground Zero of the Coronavirus Pandemic," 5 Oct. 2020 All other seats within six feet of that pod are closed tight with a black strap. — Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, "Here's what it was like being one of 12,000 fans at the Texans game," 5 Oct. 2020 The teams traded scoring possessions in the fourth quarter and kept the game tight until the final whistle. — Katherine Griffith, Dallas News, "5 takeaways from TCU’s loss to Iowa State: Horned Frogs can’t overcome offensive line struggles," 26 Sep. 2020 It can be used thick or thin, loosely or kept tight, as seen in this work. — New York Times, "A Painting Depicting the Precarity of a Single Figure, and of Us All," 25 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.