tight

TYT/taɪt/

Adjectivetighter, tightest

Adverbtighter, tightest

28 meanings of tight

Practice

1
adjective
Held together firmly, with no loose or open parts.
Like a fist closed so firmly that nothing can slip through.
The lid was so tight that no air could get in.
Make sure the screws are tight before you use the ladder.
UsageOften after pull or tie: pull your seatbelt tight.
Similarsecure, fast
Oppositeloose, slack
2
adjective
Close to the body, with little or no extra room.
Like a glove that hugs your hand with no extra space.
These jeans are too tight around my waist.
He wore a tight shirt that showed his muscles.
UsageSay too tight when clothes hurt. Close-fitting just means close to the body.
Similarsnug, close-fitting, fitted, clingy, form-fitting
Oppositeloose, baggy
Note
3
restrictedadjective
Limited, with little room or extra to spare.
Like a small box where everything barely fits.
We have a tight schedule, so let's not waste time.
The budget is tight this month.
UsageOften a tight budget, schedule or deadline.
Similarlimited, restricted, short, constrained
Oppositeample, generous
4
stretched (rope)adjective
Pulled hard so that it is stretched and not loose.
Like a rubber band stretched as far as it can go.
The guitar string was too tight and snapped.
Keep the rope tight while we climb.
Similartaut, tense
Oppositeslack, loose, limp
Note
5
adverb
In a firm way, so that something does not come loose.
Like gripping a handrail so your hand won't slip.
Hold on tight when the bus moves.
She tied the bag tight so nothing fell out.
UsageSay hold on tight or screw it on tight. Before words like packed, tightly is more common.
Similarfirmly, securely, fast
Oppositeloosely
Note
6
narrowadjective
So narrow that it is hard to get through.
Like trying to push a big box through a small door.
The gap in the fence was too tight for the dog to squeeze through.
We climbed through a tight tunnel in the cave.
UsagePeople say a tight squeeze when something just fits.
Similarnarrow, cramped, confined, constricted
Oppositewide, roomy, spacious, broad
Note
7
close contestadjective
Very close, with almost the same score or time.
Like two runners crossing the finish line at almost the same moment.
The game was tight until the final minute.
It was a tight race, and anyone could have won.
Similarclose, even, narrow
Oppositelopsided, one-sided, uneven
Note
8
sharp bendadjective
Of a turn, so sharp that it is hard to follow.
Like turning a shopping cart around a very sharp corner.
The road had a tight turn that was hard to drive around.
He took the tight corner too fast and slid off the track.
Similarsharp, acute, abrupt
Oppositegentle, wide, sweeping
Note
9
adjectiveslang
Not having much money at the moment.
I can't go out tonight because I'm tight until payday.
We are a bit tight this month, so we are eating at home.
UsageOften tight for money: I'm a bit tight until payday.
Similarshort, strapped
Oppositeflush
Note
10
adjective
Firm and strict, not easily changed or moved.
Like a rule that no one is allowed to break.
Security at the airport was tight after the alert.
The manager keeps tight control over spending.
UsageOften tight control or tight security. To keep a tight rein on something means to control it closely.
Similarstrict, firm, stringent, rigorous, rigid
Oppositelax, loose, relaxed, lenient
11
close friendsadjectivecolloquialfiguratively
Very close as friends and trusting each other.
Like friends who feel more like family.
Those two have been tight since grade school.
Our family is very tight and tells each other everything.
UsageSay two people are tight, or you are tight with a friend.
Similarclose, friendly, intimate, chummy, thick
Oppositedistant, estranged
12
polishedadjective
Done very well and without mistakes, after lots of practice.
Like a dance the team has practiced so many times they never miss a step.
The band's performance was tight all night long.
After weeks of practice, their dance routine was tight.
Similarprecise, slick, polished, crisp, sharp
Oppositesloppy, ragged
13
adjective
Hard to get because there is not much of it.
Like the last few cookies in a jar that everyone wants.
Housing is tight in the city, so apartments rent fast.
Gas was tight during the strike, so people waited in long lines.
UsageSay money is tight or supplies are tight.
Similarscarce, short, scant
Oppositeplentiful, abundant, ample
14
waterproofadjective
Having no gaps or holes, so that water cannot get through.
Like a cup with no cracks, so nothing drips out.
The boat's hull was tight, so no water leaked in.
The old roof is still tight, so no rain gets in.
UsageYou see this meaning most in watertight and airtight.
Similarwaterproof, sealed, leakproof
Oppositeleaky, porous
Note
15
narrow (sexual)adjectiveslangvulgar
Having a vagina or anus that feels narrow and firm.
He boasted crudely that his date was tight.
The men's vulgar talk turned to who was supposedly tight.

Less common meanings

16
stingyadjectiveslangderogatoryfiguratively
Not wanting to spend money and very careful with it.
Like someone who holds onto every coin and never lets go.
He is so tight that he never buys gifts.
Don't be tight. Pay for your share.
UsageSay tight with money. Tight for money is different: it means you have little money now.
Similarstingy, mean, miserly, cheap, parsimonious
Oppositegenerous, lavish, extravagant, liberal
Note
17
soundly (sleep)adverb
Deeply and well, used about sleeping.
Like sleeping so deeply that nothing can wake you.
Sleep tight and don't worry about tomorrow.
Mom kissed me good night and said, "Sleep tight."
UsageUsed mostly in sleep tight, said at bedtime.
Similarsoundly, well, deeply
Oppositefitfully, restlessly, badly, poorly
Note
18
strong defenseadjective
In sports, very good at stopping the other team from scoring.
Like a wall that hardly lets any ball through.
Their defense stayed tight throughout the match.
The team kept a tight back line for the whole season.
UsageOften tight at the back or a tight defense.
Similarsolid, stingy
Oppositeleaky, porous, shaky
Note
19
adjectiveslang
Very good, excellent, or impressive.
Like saying something is really cool or awesome.
That new skateboard is so tight.
That new song is so tight, I can't stop playing it.
UsageOften so tight or one tight car. Best kept for talk with friends.
Similargreat, awesome, excellent, dope, sick
Oppositelame, weak, awful
Note
20
drunkadjectiveslang
Drunk from drinking too much alcohol.
Like someone who has had too much to drink at a party.
Grandpa got a bit tight at the party and started to sing.
After three glasses of punch, Aunt Ruth was rather tight.
UsageUsually get tight or a bit tight. In serious writing, say drunk.
Similardrunk, tipsy, sloshed, plastered, loaded
Oppositesober
Note
21
verbobsolete
To make something tight or firm.
UsageToday people say tighten: he tightened the rope.
Note
22
make waterproofverbobsolete
To seal something so that water cannot get through it.
Note
23
adjectiveobsolete
Neat, tidy, and not torn or worn out.
clad very plain, but clean and tight
1685, John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 26 October 1685]”Here, tight means neat and tidy.
I'll spin and card, and keep our children tight.
1714, John Gay, The What D'ye Call ItHere, tight means neat and tidy.
Note
24
adjectiveobsolete
Quick, skillful, and good with your hands.
Note
25
adjectiveslangNew York
Feeling angry or annoyed.
26
adjective
In card games like poker, careful and playing only a few hands.
27
adjectiveslangUS
In car racing, describing a car that does not turn enough in the corners.
28
adjectivedialectalNorthern England
In some places, unkind, unfair, or mean to other people.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of tight apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–20, 23–24

From a Middle English word meaning "dense" or "thick," which came from Old English and goes back to an old root meaning "to stretch or pull."

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

The adjective tight derives from Old English. en.wiktionary.org
The word ultimately derives from a root meaning to stretch or pull. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 21–22

From a Middle English word tighten meaning "to make tight."

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

The verb tight derives from Middle English tighten, meaning "to make tight." en.wiktionary.org