ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tight

adj. · adv.
US //ˈtaɪt// UK //tˈaɪt// tight
  1. 1 fixed firmly (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    held or fixed firmly in place so that it cannot move or come loose.

    fixed or fastened firmly in place; resistant to movement or displacement.

    Example

    Make sure the knot is tight so the boat doesn't float away.

    Example

    The technician ensured that every bolt was tight before the high-speed testing phase commenced.
  2. 2 fitting closely (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    fitting very closely to your body, sometimes feeling uncomfortable.

    fitting the body closely or too closely; often used of garments that restrict movement.

    Example

    These new shoes are a bit tight around my toes.

    Example

    The athlete preferred tight compression gear to improve circulation during long-distance training sessions.
Show 6 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 limited time or money (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    having very little of something, like time or money, to spare.

    characterised by a lack of surplus; restricted or constrained in terms of resources.

    Example

    We are on a very tight budget this month, so no eating out.

    Example

    The project manager warned that the tight schedule left no room for unexpected technical delays.
  2. 4 close relationship (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    having a very close and friendly relationship with someone.

    characterised by close social or emotional bonds.

    Example

    The two brothers have always been very tight.

    Example

    Having grown up in the same small neighbourhood, the group of friends remained tight well into their adult years.
  3. 5 well-performed (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Music

    describing a performance or group that is very well-rehearsed and skilled.

    exhibiting a high degree of precision, coordination, and technical competence.

    Example

    The band sounded really tight after touring for three months.

    Example

    Critics praised the orchestra's tight performance, noting the seamless transitions between the complex movements of the symphony.
  4. 6 excellent (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Slang

    very good, impressive, or cool.

    an intensifier used to express high approval or aesthetic quality.

    Example

    That is a tight car you just bought.

    Example

    The underground producer was known for creating tight beats that defined the city's sound for a decade.
  5. 7 stingy (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal

    not wanting to spend money or share things with others.

    unwilling to spend or give money; parsimonious.

    Example

    He's too tight to buy a round of drinks for his friends.

    Example

    Despite his considerable wealth, he had a reputation for being tight when it came to tipping service staff.
  6. 8 firmly or deeply (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    firmly or deeply, often used when talking about sleeping.

    in a firm, secure, or deep manner; frequently occurs in the idiomatic phrase 'sleep tight'.

    Example

    Goodnight, sleep tight, and see you in the morning.

    Example

    The lid was screwed on so tight that I had to use a tool to open it.
Etymology 1

From Middle English tight, tyght, tyȝt, tiht, variants of thight, thiht, from Old English þiht, þīht (attested in meteþiht), from Proto-West Germanic þį̄ht(ī), from Proto-Germanic þinhtaz, from Proto-Indo-European tenkt- (“dense, thick, tight”), from Proto-Indo-European ten- (“to stretch, pull”). Cognate with Scots ticht, West Frisian ticht, Danish tæt, Icelandic þéttur (“dense”), Norwegian tett, Swedish tät, Dutch dicht (“dense”), German dicht (“dense”). The current form with t- /t/ rather than etymologically-expected th- /θ/ arose in Middle English under the influence of the etymologically-unrelated verbs tighten and tight, which come from a different Proto-Indo-European root (starting with *d- and thus regularly having t-).

Etymology 2

From Middle English tighten, thyhten (“to make tight”); see tighten.

Word family
Idioms6 entries

© 2026 English Reference