1
a
: having elements close together
a tight formation
a tight line of type
b
: so close in structure as to prevent passage or escape (as of liquid, gas, or light)
a tight ship
a tight seal
compare lightproof, watertight
c
: fitting very close to the body
tight jeans
also
: too snug
tight shoes
d(1)
: closely packed : very full
a tight bale of hay
(2)
: barely allowing time for completion
a tight schedule
tight deadlines
e
: allowing little or no room for free motion or movement
a tight connection
a tight crawl space
also
: having a small radius
a tight turn
2
a
: strongly fixed or held : secure
a tight jar lid
a tight grip on the ladder
b(1)
: not slack or loose : taut
kept the reins tight
a tight knot
a tight drumhead
also
: marked by firmness and muscle tone
a tight stomach
(2)
: marked by unusual tension (as in the face or body)
lips tight with anger
a family tight with fear
3
a
: difficult to cope with
in a tight spot financially
b
: relatively difficult to obtain
money is tight just now
also
: characterized by such difficulty
a tight job market
c
: not liberal in giving : stingy
tight with a penny
4
: characterized by little difference in the relative positions of contestants with respect to final outcome : close
a tight race for mayor
5
a
: characterized by firmness or strictness in control or application or in attention to details
tight security
ran a tight newsroom
keeps a tight hand on her investments
b
: marked by control or discipline in expression or style : having little or no extraneous matter
tight writing
c
: characterized by a polished style and precise arrangements in music performance
6
: having a close personal or working relationship : intimate
is tight with the boss
7
: being such that the subject fills the frame
a tight close-up
8
: somewhat drunk
tightly
adverb
tightness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of tight in a Sentence
Adjective
The lid is too tight. I can't loosen it.
She made a tight knot in the rope.
Keep a tight grip on his hand when you cross the street.
Pull the ribbon tight and make a bow.
Adverb
Is the door shut tight?
She screwed the cap on tight.
Don't close the lid so tight.
We were packed as tight as sardines on the bus.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Incumbent Leonel Talavera and her opponent, Vanesa Estrella, are locked in a tight race for Area 5.
—Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
With the national race tight, Trump's narrowing base of white voters in Pennsylvania could jeopardize his path to victory in the state—and potentially in the overall election.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tight 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
The company’s markets wagered correctly and controversially in Donald Trump’s favor in bets on who would win the presidential election, even though opinion polls showed a tight race.
—Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Incumbent Leonel Talavera and her opponent, Vanesa Estrella, are locked in a tight race for Area 5.
—Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 9 Nov. 2024
Adverb
Vance’s remarks came one day before Election Day, with polling in multiple swing states very tight and Harris and Trump now tied in an average of national polls from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ at 48.4 percent support.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
With the national race tight, Trump's narrowing base of white voters in Pennsylvania could jeopardize his path to victory in the state—and potentially in the overall election.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tight
Dictionary Entries Near tight
Cite this Entry
“Tight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tight. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tight
1 of 2 adjective1
: so close in structure as not to allow something (as liquid, gas, or light) to pass through
a tight roof
2
a
: fixed very firmly in place
loosen a tight jar cover
b
: not slack or loose
kept the rope tight
a tight knot
c
: fitting too closely
tight shoes
3
: difficult to get through or out of
in a tight spot
on a tight schedule
4
a
: firm in control
kept a tight hand on affairs
b
5
: very closely packed or compressed
a tight bale of hay
6
: low in supply : scarce
money is tight just now
tightly
adverb
tightness
noun
tight
2 of 2 adverb1
a
: in a tight manner
hold on tight
b
: so as to be tight
shut the door tight
wound the spring tight
2
: in a deep and uninterrupted manner : soundly
sleep tight
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