Tight (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Pulled or drawn tight; "taut sails"; "a tight drumhead"; "a tight rope".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The string was pulled tight so the guitar would sound clear.
- She adjusted the canvas to make the sail tight enough to harness the wind.
- The tight seat belt restrained her as the car turned a sharp corner.
- The kite could not fly because the string was not tight enough.
- Tightening the screws made the bicycle more stable on the road.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
(used of persons or behavior) characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity; "a mean person"; "he left a miserly tip".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The wealthy investor was known for being tight with his money, refusing to donate to charity or lend to friends in need.
- Her tight fists were a visual representation of her reluctance to spend on others.
- After a lifetime of working hard, he had become surprisingly tight and only spent money on essential items.
- She was considered tight by her friends and family, always looking for ways to save a buck at their expense.
- The company's tight management style left many employees feeling undervalued and demotivated.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Packed closely together; "they stood in a tight little group"; "hair in tight curls"; "the pub was packed tight".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The stadium was packed tight with screaming fans for the championship game.
- The tourists were stuck in a tight alley, trying to navigate the narrow streets.
- Her hair was styled in tight braids that framed her heart-shaped face.
- The crowd surged forward, people packed tight together in the mosh pit.
- The flowers were planted in tight rows, creating a vibrant display of color.
Meaning 4
Set so close together as to be invulnerable to penetration; "in tight formation"; "a tight blockade".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The police formed a tight cordon around the building to prevent anyone from escaping.
- The soldiers marched in tight formation, their shields locked together to protect them from enemy arrows.
- The blockade was so tight that no ships were able to get through to deliver aid to the besieged city.
- The security team was placed on high alert, with guards stationed in tight proximity to the dignitary at all times.
- The naval fleet sailed in tight convoy, with each ship closely following the one in front to avoid detection by enemy submarines.
Related Words
Meaning 5
Of textiles; "a close weave"; "smooth percale with a very tight weave".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The fabric of the dress was a tight weave, making it less prone to runs and snags.
- The smooth percale sheets had a very tight weave, giving them a luxurious feel.
- This denim has a tight weave that makes it durable and long-lasting.
- The tight weave of the cotton fabric made it perfect for making summer dresses.
- The tight weave of the suit's fabric made it look sleek and modern.
Synonyms
Meaning 6
Exasperatingly difficult to handle or circumvent; "a nasty problem"; "a good man to have on your side in a tight situation".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The engineers faced a tight problem in repairing the malfunctioning spacecraft.
- She proved to be a good man to have on your side in a tight situation like this armed robbery.
- The team encountered a tight spot when they discovered that the main suspect had an alibi.
- He was in a tight corner during the interrogation as the detectives presented irrefutable evidence.
- They had to think quickly to get out of the tight spot they found themselves in during the surprise audit.
Synonyms
Meaning 7
Pressed tightly together; "with lips compressed".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- Her lips were set tight as she tried to hold back her tears.
- The crowd was packed tight into the small room, making it hard to move.
- The lid was screwed tight onto the jar, making it difficult to open.
- The muscles in his face were tight with tension as he waited for the results.
- Her jaw was clenched tight as she struggled to keep her emotions in check.
Synonyms
Meaning 8
Demanding strict attention to rules and procedures; "rigorous discipline"; "tight security"; "stringent safety measures".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The company has a tight policy on punctuality, with any employee arriving late more than twice a week facing disciplinary action.
- The new manager was known for her tight management style, insisting that every task be completed to perfection.
- The government has implemented tight regulations on the use of drones in public airspace to minimize the risk of accidents.
- The military base had tight security, with multiple checkpoints and guards patrolling the perimeter at all times.
- The school had a tight dress code, with students required to wear uniforms and adhere to strict grooming standards.
Synonyms
Meaning 9
Securely or solidly fixed in place; rigid; "the bolts are tight".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The lid was tight on the jar, making it difficult to open.
- The screws were tight on the bookshelf, holding it firmly in place.
- The rope was tight around the post, securing the sail in position.
- The door was tight in its frame, requiring a bit of effort to push open.
- The bolts were tight on the machine, ensuring it wouldn't come apart during use.
Meaning 10
Of such close construction as to be impermeable; "a tight roof"; "warm in our tight little house".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The tent had a tight waterproof covering that kept us dry in the storm.
- The mechanic checked the engine to make sure the joints were tight.
- Her grandmother's tight, well-insulated cottage was a refuge from the cold.
- After years of renovation, the old house had a tight, secure door that felt solid.
- The small, tight cabin was just large enough for two people to live in comfortably.
Antonyms
Meaning 11
Closely constrained or constricted or constricting; "tight skirts"; "he hated tight starched collars"; "fingers closed in a tight fist"; "a tight feeling in his chest".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The tight deadline made it difficult for the team to complete the project on time.
- She wore a tight dress that accentuated her curves.
- The tight security measures at the airport made it difficult for passengers to move quickly.
- He had a tight grip on the steering wheel as he navigated the winding road.
- The tight muscles in his back made it hard for him to move after the long hike.
Antonyms
Related Words
Meaning 12
Affected by scarcity and expensive to borrow; "tight money"; "a tight market".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The recent economic downturn had created a tight credit market for small business owners.
- The central bank implemented monetary policies to address the tight money situation.
- Analysts predicted that the tight labor market would lead to significant wage increases.
- The tight natural gas market caused prices to surge during the winter months.
- Investors struggled to find viable opportunities in the tight venture capital market.
Related Words
Meaning 13
(of a contest or contestants) evenly matched; "a close contest"; "a close election"; "a tight game".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The two teams were evenly matched, and the game was tight until the very end.
- The presidential election was extremely tight, with the candidates separated by only a few percentage points.
- The tennis match was tight, with neither player able to gain a clear advantage.
- The competition for the top prize was tight, with several contestants vying for the award.
- The score was tight at halftime, with the home team trailing by only a single point.
Synonyms
Meaning 14
Very drunk.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Usages
Examples
- He was tight and stumbled all over the dance floor.
- She got tight at the party and had to be carried home.
- After a few too many shots, he was tight and speaking incoherently.
- Her friends helped her into the car because she was tight and couldn't walk.
- He woke up with a pounding headache, knowing he had gotten way too tight the night before.