Word
tighten
Phoneticstight·en, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtaɪtən/
UK/tˈaɪtən/
Definitions
01to make firm or secure
B1 · Intermediate
v. to make something more firm, closed, or secure so it does not move.
v. to make something more secure or less loose by applying force or tension.
“You should tighten the screws on the chair so it stops shaking.”
“The mechanic had to tighten the bolts on the engine block to prevent oil from leaking during high-speed operation.”
Usage
Often used with 'up' as a phrasal verb for emphasis.
02to become more tense
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to become stiff or tense, often because you are nervous or angry.
v. to become tense or rigid, particularly in reference to muscles or emotional states.
“His jaw started to tighten as he listened to the bad news.”
“Her grip on the steering wheel began to tighten as the fog grew thicker and the road became more dangerous.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to make rules stricter
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make laws, rules, or security more strict.
v. to make a law, rule, or system of control more restrictive or effective.
“The airport decided to tighten security after the recent incidents.”
“The government plans to tighten the regulations on carbon emissions to meet its environmental targets by the end of the decade.”
Synonyms
04to restrict money or credit
C1 · Advanced Economics Academic · Formal
v. to make it harder for people or businesses to borrow money.
v. to reduce the availability of money or credit in an economy, often by raising interest rates.
Español:endurecer la política monetaria
“The central bank may tighten its policy to stop prices from rising too fast.”
“Economists predict the Federal Reserve will tighten monetary policy in response to the unexpected surge in inflationary pressure.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'tighten monetary policy'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “tighten” in context.
Verb
01. tighten the belt
“During the recession, many families had to tighten their belts to cover basic expenses.”
verb + noun
02. tighten the grip on the market
“The tech giant continues to tighten its grip on the market through strategic acquisitions.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. tighten the screws on the opposition
“The government is starting to tighten the screws on the opposition by introducing new restrictive laws.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
04. tighten the security at the airport
“Authorities decided to tighten the security at the airport following the recent threat.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adverb
05. gradually tighten the restrictions
“The council will gradually tighten the restrictions on city center parking over the next year.”
adv + verb + noun
06. significantly tighten the regulations
“The agency plans to significantly tighten the regulations regarding carbon emissions.”
adv + verb + noun
07. tighten the bolts securely
“Make sure you tighten the bolts securely before you attempt to ride the bicycle.”
verb + noun + adv
Real-World Examples
“Moroccan police have arrested 111 people as they tried to enter Spain’s north African territory of Ceuta, amid tightened security on both sides after social media posts called for another mass crossing.” “The definition of a vape shop will also be tightened to stop businesses getting around the new rules by claiming to be a general convenience store or retailer.” Etymology
Synchronically equivalent to tight + -en, but actually derived from Middle English tighten, from Old English tyhtan, thus originally unrelated to tight (Old English *þiht).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/tighten
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0