Tight: meaning, definitions and examples

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tight

 

[ taɪt ]

Adjective / Adverb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

fitting closely or tightly

Of such close construction as to be impermeable; very close or confined; as, a tight house; a tight floor; a tight compartment.

Synonyms

close, compact, constricted

Examples of usage

  • The door was so tight that it was difficult to open.
  • She wore a tight dress that accentuated her curves.
Context #2 | Adverb

in a firm or secure manner

In a tight manner; firmly; securely; tensely.

Synonyms

firmly, securely

Examples of usage

  • Hold on tight to the rope.
  • She held the baby tight in her arms.
Context #3 | Noun

a difficult situation

A situation in which a person or group is faced with severe financial problems.

Synonyms

crisis, dilemma, predicament

Examples of usage

  • We're in a tight spot with our budget this month.
  • The company found itself in a tight after the economic downturn.

Translations

Translations of the word "tight" in other languages:

🇵🇹 apertado

🇮🇳 कस

🇩🇪 eng

🇮🇩 ketat

🇺🇦 тісний

🇵🇱 ciasny

🇯🇵 きつい

🇫🇷 serré

🇪🇸 apretado

🇹🇷 sıkı

🇰🇷 꽉 끼는

🇸🇦 ضيق

🇨🇿 těsný

🇸🇰 tesný

🇨🇳 

🇸🇮 tesen

🇮🇸 þröngur

🇰🇿 тар

🇬🇪 მჭიდრო

🇦🇿 dar

🇲🇽 apretado

Etymology

The word 'tight' originated from Old English 'thēht' meaning 'dense' or 'compact'. Over the years, the meaning evolved to include concepts of closeness, firmness, and difficulty. The word has been used in various contexts to describe things that are closely fitted, secure, or in a difficult situation. It has become a versatile term in the English language, reflecting the importance of precision and constraint in communication.

See also: tighten, tightener, tightening, tightfisted, tightly, tightness, tights, uptight.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,506, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.