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

Elizabeth Berkley rose to fame playing the uptight Jessie Spano on Saved by the Bell (1989–1993), then shattered her squeaky clean image with a revealing turn in Paul Verhoeven's notorious Showgirls (1995). —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025

The same goes for Charli XCX who, in a Danielle Frankel slip and Vivienne Westwood corset dress, made the case for uptight brides to let go of their pursuit of perfection and just let loose. —Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025

Until, that is, Morgan is roped into the LAPD by Selena Soto (Judy Reyes) and paired with uptight detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata). —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025

Too uptight to refrain from checking email. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 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