tight

I. tight¹ S2 W3 /taɪt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative tighter, superlative tightest)
[Word Family: adverb: ↑tight, ↑tightly; verb: ↑tighten; noun: ↑tightness; adjective: ↑tight]
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: thight 'closely packed, solid, thick' (14-19 centuries), probably from a Scandinavian language]
1. CLOTHES tight clothes fit your body very closely, especially in a way that is uncomfortable OPP loose:
tight jeans
My shoes were so tight that I could hardly walk.
The jacket is rather a tight fit (=it fits too tightly).
2. PULLED/STRETCHED FIRMLY string, wire, cloth etc that is tight has been pulled or stretched firmly so that it is straight or cannot move:
The bandage must be tight enough to stop the bleeding.
She tied the rope around the post and pulled it tight.
3. ATTACHED FIRMLY a screw, lid etc that is tight is firmly attached and difficult to move:
Check that the screws are tight.
4. HOLDING SOMETHING FIRMLY a tight hold/grip if you keep or have a tight hold on something, you hold it firmly:
His mother kept a tight hold on his hand.
5. STRICT controlling something very strictly or firmly:
The government is keeping tight control on immigration.
keep a tight grip/hold/rein on something (=control it very firmly)
The former dictator still keeps a tight grip on power.
Anna was determined to keep a tight hold on her feelings.
Security is always tight for the opening day of parliament.
run/keep a tight ship (=manage a company, organization etc strictly and effectively)
6. LITTLE MONEY if money is tight, you do not have enough of it
money is tight/things are tight
Money was tight and he needed a job badly.
As you know, I run the magazine on a pretty tight budget.
7. LITTLE TIME if time is tight, it is difficult for you to do everything you need to do in the time available:
Time is tight, and she has another meeting to go to this afternoon.
We should arrive on time, but it’ll be tight.
As usual, his schedule on Saturday was tight (=he had arranged to do several things in a short time).
I'm working to a very tight deadline (=I have to finish a piece of work very quickly).
8. LITTLE SPACE if space is tight, there is only just enough space to fit something into a place
be a tight squeeze/fit
Six in the car will be a tight squeeze.
9. NOT GENEROUS informal not generous, or trying hard to avoid spending money:
Don’t be so tight!
10. CLOSE TOGETHER placed or standing closely together:
The animal’s body was curled up in a tight little ball.
She wore her hair in a tight bun.
11. CLOSE RELATIONSHIP a tight group of people, countries etc have a close relationship with each other SYN tight-knit:
Together, the young film-makers formed a tight group.
the tight bonds that had grown between them
12. BEND/TURN a tight bend or turn is very curved and turns quickly in another direction:
Danny lost control on a tight bend, and the car ran off the road.
13. CHEST/STOMACH/THROAT if your chest, stomach, or throat feels tight, it feels painful and uncomfortable, because you are ill or worried:
Before she went on stage her chest felt tight and her throat hurt.
14. EXPRESSION/SMILE/VOICE a tight expression, smile, or voice shows that you are annoyed or worried SYN tight-lipped:
‘Look, I’m sorry ...,’ she said, forcing a tight smile.
15. DIFFICULT SITUATION in a tight corner/spot informal in a difficult situation:
He’s a good man to have around if ever you’re in a tight corner.
‘Did something go wrong?’ ‘Let’s just say I got into a bit of a tight spot.’
16. PLAY/PERFORMANCE playing a piece of music or giving a performance very exactly and well, without any pauses or mistakes:
The band gave a really tight performance.
a tight, well-rehearsed production
17. GAME/COMPETITION a tight game, competition etc is one in which the teams, players etc play equally well, and it is not easy to win:
The opening quarter of the game was very tight.
18. DRUNK [not before noun] old-fashioned informal drunk
—tightly adverb:
Marie held the baby tightly in her arms.
—tightness noun [uncountable]
⇨ ↑airtight, ↑watertight
• • •
THESAURUS
■ rule/law/system
▪ strict a strict order or rule is one that must be obeyed: There are strict rules about keeping tax records. | He had strict instructions to return the key to me.
▪ tight tight controls or limits are very strict about what is allowed and what is not allowed: The report recommends tighter controls on the advertising of alcohol. | There are tight regulations governing waste disposal.
▪ tough tough laws or rules are very strict: They want tougher laws against drinking and driving. | The federal government is introducing tough new rules on immigration.
▪ harsh harsh punishments or laws are very severe, often too severe: There are harsh penalties for drug trafficking. | The government has brought in harsh measures to combat the rioting taking place in many cities.
▪ stringent controlling what people can do with rules that have very high standards: There are now stringent controls on pollution from all power stations. | stringent new food safety regulations

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

tight

tight [tight tighter tightest] adjective, adverb [taɪt] [taɪt]

adjective (tight·er, tight·est)

FIRM
1. held or fixed in position firmly; difficult to move or undo
• He kept a tight grip on her arm.
• She twisted her hair into a tight knot.

• The screw was so tight that it wouldn't move.

CLOTHES

2. fitting closely to your body and sometimes uncomfortable
• She was wearing a tight pair of jeans.
• These shoes are much too tight.
• The new sweater was a tight fit.
Opp: loose

see also skintight

CONTROL

3. very strict and firm
• to keep tight control over sth

• We need tighter security at the airport.

STRETCHED

4. stretched or pulled so that it cannot stretch much further

• The rope was stretched tight.

CLOSE TOGETHER

5. usually before noun with things or people packed closely together, leaving little space between them
• There was a tight group of people around the speaker.

• With six of us in the car it was a tight squeeze.

MONEY/TIME

6. difficult to manage with because there is not enough
• We have a very tight budget.
• The president has a tight schedule today.

• The deadline for finishing the project is too tight (= too soon).

EXPRESSION/VOICE

7. looking or sounding anxious, upset, angry, etc
• ‘I'm sorry,’ she said, with a tight smile.

see also uptight

PART OF BODY

8. feeling painful or uncomfortable because of illness or emotion
Syn: constricted
• He complained of having a tight chest.

• Her throat felt tight, just looking at her baby.

RELATIONSHIP

9. having a close relationship with sb else or with other people
• It was a tight community and newcomers were not welcome.

see also tight-knit

BEND/CURVE

10. curving suddenly rather than gradually
• The driver slowed down at a tight bend in the road.

• The plane flew around in a tight circle.

CONTEST/RACE

11. with runners, teams, etc. that seem to be equally good
Syn: close

• a tight race

NOT GENEROUS

12. (informal, disapproving) not wanting to spend much money; not generous
Syn: mean

• He's very tight with his money.

DRUNK

13. not usually before noun (old-fashioned, informal) drunk

Syn: tipsy

-TIGHT

14. (in compounds) not allowing the substance mentioned to enter
• measures to make your home weathertight
see also airtight, watertight
Word Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘healthy, vigorous’, later ‘firm, solid’): probably an alteration of thight ‘firm, solid’, later ‘close-packed, dense’, of Germanic origin; related to German dicht ‘dense, close’.
Example Bank:
• Every muscle in her face was drawn tight.
• I think we'd better leave— time's getting very tight.
• Keep the rope tight.
• Security at the airport remains tight.
• The cloth was stretched tight over the frame.
• The rope suddenly went tight.
• Those jeans are getting too tight for me.
• She managed to reverse into a tight parking space.
• The screw was so tight that it wouldn't move.
• With six of us in the car it was a tight squeeze.
• Are the controls tight enough?
• Those jeans have got too tight and I can't wear them any more.
Idioms: keep a tight rein on somebody ▪ run a tight ship ▪ tight spot

Derived Word: tightness

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

tight

/taɪt/
(tighter, tightest)

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.
Tight clothes or shoes are rather small and fit closely to your body.
His jeans were too tight.
≠ loose
ADJ
• tight‧ly
He buttoned his collar tightly round his thick neck.
ADV: ADV with v

2.
If you hold someone or something tight, you hold them firmly and securely.
She just fell into my arms, clutching me tight for a moment...
Hold on tight!
ADV: ADV after v
•
Tight is also an adjective.
As he and Henrietta passed through the gate he kept a tight hold of her arm.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
• tight‧ly
She climbed back into bed and wrapped her arms tightly round her body.
ADV: ADV after v

3.
Tight controls or rules are very strict.
The measures include tight control of media coverage...
Security is tight this week at the polling sites.
ADJ
• tight‧ly
The internal media was tightly controlled by the government during the war.
ADV: ADV after v, ADV -ed

4.
Something that is shut tight is shut very firmly.
I keep the flour and sugar in individual jars, sealed tight with their glass lids...
She kept her eyes tight closed.
ADV: ADV -ed, ADV after v
• tight‧ly
Pemberton frowned and closed his eyes tightly...
ADV: ADV after v, ADV -ed

5.
Skin, cloth, or string that is tight is stretched or pulled so that it is smooth or straight.
My skin feels tight and lacking in moisture...
ADJ
• tight‧ly
Her sallow skin was drawn tightly across the bones of her face.
ADV: ADV with v

6.
Tight is used to describe a group of things or an amount of something that is closely packed together.
She curled up in a tight ball, with her knees tucked up at her chin...
The men came in a tight group.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
•
Tight is also an adverb.
The people sleep on sun loungers packed tight, end to end.
ADV
• tight‧ly
Many animals travel in tightly packed lorries and are deprived of food, water and rest.
ADV: ADV after v, ADV -ed

7.
If a part of your body is tight, it feels rather uncomfortable and painful, for example because you are ill, anxious, or angry.
It is better to stretch the tight muscles first...
= taut
ADJ
• tight‧ness
Heart disease often shows itself first as pain or tightness in the chest.
N-UNCOUNT

8.
A tight group of people is one whose members are closely linked by beliefs, feelings, or interests.
We’re a tight group, so we do keep in touch.
= close
ADJ

9.
A tight bend or corner is one that changes direction very quickly so that you cannot see very far round it.
They collided on a tight bend and both cars were extensively damaged.
= sharp
ADJ: usu ADJ n

10.
A tight schedule or budget allows very little time or money for unexpected events or expenses.
It’s difficult to cram everything into a tight schedule...
Financially things are a bit tight.
ADJ

11.
A tight contest is one where none of the competitors has a clear advantage or looks likely to win, so that it is difficult to say who the winner will be.
It was a very tight match...
ADJ

12.
If you say that someone is tight, you disapprove of them because they are unwilling to spend their money. (INFORMAL)
What about getting new ones–Are you so tight you won’t even spend three roubles?
= tight-fisted, mean, stingy
ADJ [disapproval]

13.
see also airtight, skin-tight

14.
If you are in a tight corner or in a tight spot, you are in a difficult situation. (INFORMAL)
That puts the president in a tight spot if the vote is not a resounding ‘yes’...
PHRASE: usu prep PHR

15.
You can say ‘sleep tight’ to someone when they are going to bed as an affectionate way of saying that you hope they will sleep well.
Good night, Davey. Sleep tight.
CONVENTION

16.
to keep a tight rein on: see rein
to sit tight: see sit

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹tight /ˈtaɪt/ adj tight·er; -est
1 : difficult to move : fastened, attached, or held in a position that is not easy to move
• The lid is too tight. I can't loosen it.
• She made a tight knot in the rope.
• Keep a tight grip/hold on his hand when you cross the street.
- opposite loose
2 : fitting very close to your body
• tight [=snug] T-shirts
• a tight pair of jeans = a pair of tight jeans
• These shoes are too tight. [=they are too small]
• a tight bandage
- opposite loose; see also skintight
3 : flat or firm from being pulled or stretched
• a tight wire/string
• Pull the ribbon tight and make a bow.
- opposite loose
4 : tense or stiff : not relaxed
• Her muscles were tight.
• His throat/chest felt tight.
• a tight smile
• She answered in a tight voice.
- opposite loose
5 : hard and muscular
• an athlete with a tight stomach/body
• He has tight abs.
6 : having parts that are very close together
• The cat was curled into a tight ball.
• a fabric with a tight weave
• The swimming goggles should create a tight seal around your eyes.
- see also airtight, watertight
7 : not having or allowing much room
• Space was tight at their first home. [=their first home was small; they did not have much room]
• There's a tight space you can crawl through underneath the house.
• The tunnel gets pretty tight up ahead.
• We got everything into the suitcase, but it was a tight squeeze. [=the suitcase was very full/packed]
8 : not having or allowing much time
• We are on a tight schedule.
• The project has a very tight deadline.
• Time was tight, so we couldn't stay long.
9 : close or equal in score, progress, or ability
• It was a very tight race/game.
• It was one of the tightest presidential elections in history.
• The teams play in a tight division.
10 : not allowing much freedom : strict about controlling what happens
• She kept a tight hand on the business. [=she controlled the business in a very strict way]
• The mayor put tighter security in place for the concert.
• He has people working for him, but he has/keeps a tight rein on every part of the process.
11 : difficult or awkward
• You've put me in a tight spot. [=a difficult position]
• They were in a tight spot financially. [=they did not have much money; they were having financial problems]
12 a : low in supply : not easily available
• We can't afford a vacation right now because money is tight. [=scarce]
• Jobs are tight right now. [=there are not many jobs available right now]
b
- used to describe a situation that is difficult because there is not enough of something
• Things have been a little tight [=money has been scarce] since I lost my job.
• a tight job market [=a situation in which there are few jobs]
13 informal + usually disapproving : not giving or spending money freely : stingy or cheap
• He's pretty tight with his money.
14 : having a close personal or professional relationship
• We've been tight [=very friendly] for a long time.
• a tight group of friends
- often + with
• She's tight with the boss.
15 : curving or changing direction suddenly
• There is a tight [=sharp] bend in the road up ahead.
• Make a tight right turn at the traffic light.
16 informal + old-fashioned : very drunk
• getting tight at a bar
run a tight ship
- see ¹ship
- tight·ly adv
• The shirt fits too tightly around the arms.
• The luggage was secured tightly to the top of the car.
• Hold on tightly to the railing.
• shelves packed tightly with books
• a tightly knit [=tight-knit] family
- tight·ness noun [noncount]
• He felt some muscle tightness in his back.