¹tight

adjective \ˈtīt\

: difficult to move : fastened, attached, or held in a position that is not easy to move

: fitting very close to your body

: flat or firm from being pulled or stretched

Full Definition of TIGHT

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>

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>

chiefly dialect : capable, competent

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>

: characterized by little difference in the relative positions of contestants with respect to final outcome : close <a tight race for mayor>

: somewhat drunk

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

: having a close personal or working relationship : intimate <is tight with the boss>

: being such that the subject fills the frame <a tight close-up>

— tight·ly adverb

— tight·ness noun

See tight defined for English-language learners

See tight defined for kids

Origin of TIGHT

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: 14th century