taut Definition
taut (tôt)
adjective
- tightly stretched: said as of a rope
- showing strain; tense a taut smile
- tidy, well-disciplined, efficient, etc. a taut ship
Etymology: ME toght, tight, firm, prob. < pp. of togen (< OE togian), to pull, tow
taut Related Forms
taut′ly adverb
taut′·ness noun
taut Synonyms
taut
modif.
taut Usage Examples
Modifying Another Word
- so: The game was so taut that when you did stumble across the old ET, even the neighbors could hear you scream.
- very: The design also has a very taut inner tent with near-vertical walls to maximize the usable space.
- not: The film is definitely innovative, but not taut enough to be a thriller, nor engaging enough to work as a drama.
- reasonably: There are moments of real promise and a reasonably taut pace all the way through.
Adjective complement with noun phrase
- pull: Water is pumped out of the cylinders until the entire assembly lifts up in the water, pulling the tethers taut.
- keep: Used on all our canvases, tension wedges keep the canvas taut over time.
- hold: Renew those lost ties that do not hold the cover taut over the boat - loose covers collect water.
- make: You can then make the fly taut by tugging on adjustable webbing buckles around the side.
Modifies a noun
- thriller: Ultimately 16 Blocks is a taut little thriller that goes the distance.
- rhythm: Clarity, freshness and taut rhythms were the hallmark of the Beethoven.
- handling: Jaguar's first attempt at a compact executive is right on the money, combining taut handling with a smooth ride.
- string: Standing Waves Standing waves can be produced with a taut string fixed at both ends.
- drama: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt ( 1956 ) is a taut courtroom drama with an unforgettable twist in the tail.
- muscle: Taut young muscles, supple limbs, senses instantly attuned to the slightest hint of threat.
Used with adjective complement
- pull: The back must be pulled as taut as possible.
- stretch: Her blouse was white, stretched taut over her full figure.
- hold: The string is wound once around the billet and held taut by the thumb inserted in the looped end.
- become: Rather it still comes down on the side of Newton and the rope will become taut as the system spins.
- go: As soon as the leash goes taut, turn back toward your house without a word.
- keep: It is as nearly vertical as is reasonably practical and it is kept taut.
Browse dictionary entries near taut
- ‹ Taurus Mountains
- ‹ Taurus
- ‹ tauromachy
- ‹ taurocholic acid
- ‹ taurine
- ‹ Taurean
- ‹ taupe
- ‹ Taunton
- ‹ taunt
- ‹ taught
- tauten ›
- tauto- ›
- tautog ›
- tautological ›
- tautologous ›
- tautology ›
- tautomer ›
- tautomerism ›
- tautonym ›
- tav ›

