Tight Taɪt People Difficult Closely Stretched Adjective Grip

• 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.
• dave's arms were tight around her waist.

tight

1. held or fixed in position securely; difficult to move, open or separate
• 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.
• Dave's arms were tight around her waist.
2. fitting closely to your body and sometimes uncomfortable
• OPPOSITE loose
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/loose_2
• She was wearing a tight pair of jeans.
• These shoes are much too tight.
• The new sweater was a tight fit.
• The dress is a little tight across the chest.
3. 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).
• I think we'd better leave—time's getting very tight.
• As always, money is tight.
4. very strict and hard to resist, avoid, etc.
• to keep tight control over something
• Dozens of streets are being closed and security is tight.
• We need tighter security at the airport.
• Are the controls tight enough?
• tight restrictions/regulations
5. stretched or pulled so that it cannot stretch much further
• The rope was stretched tight.
• The constant pull of the river will keep your line tight.
• He drew the cord tighter with a jerk.
• Pull in your navel and keep your abs tight.

Extra Examples

• Every muscle in her face was drawn tight.
• The cloth was stretched tight over the frame.
• The rope suddenly went tight.
6. 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.
• She managed to reverse into a tight parking space.
7. looking or sounding anxious, upset or angry
• SEE ALSO uptight
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/uptight
• ‘I'm sorry,’ she said, with a tight smile.
8. feeling painful or uncomfortable because of illness or emotion
• SYNONYM constricted
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/constricted
• He complained of having a tight chest.
• Her throat felt tight, just looking at her baby.
9. having a close relationship with somebody else or with other people
• SEE ALSO tight-knit
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/tight-knit
• It was a tight community and newcomers were not welcome.
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.
11. with runners, teams, etc. that seem to be equally good
• SYNONYM close2
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/close2_2
• a tight race
12. not wanting to spend much money; not generous
• SYNONYM mean
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/mean_3
• He's very tight with his money.
13. drunk
• SYNONYM tipsy
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/tipsy
14. not allowing the substance mentioned to enter
• SEE ALSO airtight
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/airtight
• measures to make your home weathertight
15. in a difficult situation
• She’ll always help if you’re in a tight spot.
• The captain's knee injury leaves the team in a tight corner.
16. to control somebody/something carefully or strictly
• It’s essential to keep a tight rein on public spending.
17. to organize something in a very efficient way, controlling other people very closely

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’.