uptight

adjective

up·​tight ˈəp-ˈtīt 

(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt

1

a

: being tense, nervous, or uneasy

uptight overachievers

b

: angry, indignant

getting uptight over little things

c

: rigidly conventional

an uptight conservative

2

: being in financial difficulties

uptightness

(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of uptight

• worried
• nervous
• upset
• anxious
• uneasy
• troubled

Examples of uptight in a Sentence

If our flight is delayed, there's nothing we can do. There's no reason to get so uptight about it.

I don't know why people are so uptight about sex.

Recent Examples on the Web

The comparatively uptight Pari (Mahshad Bahraminejad) mounts nonlinear plays that depict the intrusion of political anxiety on everyday Iranian spaces. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026

New in the lineup is Strip Law, a series about an uptight Vegas lawyer who teams up with a low-rent magician to add some pizzazz to Sin City’s dumbest cases. —Lucy Ford, Time, 27 Dec. 2025

Shortly before her career-defining role as Elaine Benes on Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus played the Griswolds' uptight neighbor Margo Chester. —Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025

Monster mother-in-law Andrew's adoring, uptight mother, Evelyn (Elizabeth Perkins), has a more prominent role in the film than in the book, further antagonizing Nina while also providing a deeper backstory for Andrew. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for uptight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

uptight

adjective

up·​tight ˈəp-ˈtīt 

(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt, 

ˌəp-ˌtīt

: being tense, nervous, or uneasy