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tight

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The definition of tight is firmly in place, fitting closely or concise and strong.

(adjective)

An example of tight used as an adjective is the phrase "a tight lightbulb" which means a lightbulb that is screwed in all the way.
An example of tight used as an adjective is the phrase "a tight shirt" which means a shirt that is very close to the skin and not loose.
An example of tight used as an adjective is the phrase "a tight argument" which means an argument that is very strong and well phrased.

Tight is defined as firmly or securely.

(adverb)

An example of tight used as an adverb is the phrase sit tight which means to remain seated.

See tight in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

Obsolete dense
so close or compact in structure that water, air, etc. cannot pass through: a tight boat
drawn, packed, spaced, etc. closely together: a tight weave, a tight schedule of events
Dialectal snug; trim; neat
fixed securely; held firmly; firm: a tight joint
fully stretched; taut, not slack or loose
fitting closely, esp. too closely, so as to be uncomfortable
strict; restraining; severe: tight control
difficult to manage: esp. in the phrase , a difficult situation
showing tension or strain: a tight smile
almost even or tied; close: a tight race
of a short radius; sharp: said of a spiral, curve, turn, etc.
1. difficult to get; scarce in relation to demand: said of commodities on a market, or of money available for loans
2. characterized by such scarcity: a tight market
concise; condensed: said of language, style, etc.
Now Chiefly Dial. well-proportioned; shapely
Dialectal competent; capable
Informal stingy; parsimonious
Slang drunk
☆ Slang intimate; familiar; friendly: usually with with

Origin: ME, altered (prob. infl. by toght: see taut) < thight < OE -thight, strong, akin to ON thēttr, Ger dicht, tight, thick < IE base *tenk-, to thicken, congeal > MIr tēcht, coagulated

adverb

in a tight manner; esp.,

securely or firmly: hold tight, sit tight
Informal soundly: sleep tight

Related Forms:

tightly adverb
tightness noun

not letting (something specified) in or out: airtight, watertight

Origin: < tight

See tight in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective tight·er, tight·est

Fixed or fastened firmly in place: a tight lid; tight screws; a tight knot.
Stretched or drawn out fully: a tight wire; a tight drumhead.
Of such close construction as to be impermeable: cloth tight enough to hold water; warm in our tight little cabin.
a. Leaving little empty space through compression; compact: a tight suitcase; a tight weave.
b. Affording little spare time; full: a tight schedule.
Closely reasoned or concise: a tight argument; a tight style of writing.
Fitting close or too close to the skin; snug: a tight collar; a fit that was much too tight.
Slang Personally close; intimate: “me and the D.A., who happen to be very tight with one another” (Tom Wolfe).
Experiencing a feeling of constriction: a tight feeling in the chest.
Reluctant to spend or give; stingy.
a. Obtainable with difficulty or only at a high price: tight money.
b. Affected by scarcity: a tight market.
Difficult to deal with or get out of: a tight spot.
Barely profitable: a tight bargain.
Closely contested; close: a tight match.
Chiefly British Neat and trim in appearance or arrangement.
Marked by full control over elements or subordinates; firm: tight management; a tight orchestral performance.
Slang Intoxicated; drunk.
Baseball Inside.

adverb tight·er, tight·est

Firmly; securely.
Soundly: sleep tight.
Snugly or with constriction: My shoes are laced too tight.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, dense

Origin: , of Scandinavian origin

Related Forms:

tightˈly adverb

tightˈness noun

Usage Note: Tight is used as an adverb following verbs that denote a process of closure or constriction, as squeeze, shut, close, tie, and hold. In this use it is subtly distinct from the adverb tightly. Tight denotes the state resulting from the process, whereas tightly denotes the manner of its application. As such, tight is more appropriate when the focus is on a state that endures for some time after the activity has ended. The sentence She closed up the house tight suggests preparation for an impending blizzard. By the same token, it is more natural to say The windows were frozen tight than The windows were frozen tightly, since in this case the tightness of the seal is not likely to be the result of the manner in which the windows were frozen. With a few verbs tight is used idiomatically as an intensive and is the only possible form: sleep tight; sit tight. Tight can be used only following the verb: The house was shut tight (not tight shut).

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