# tighten

/ˈtaɪtən/ (US) · /tˈaɪtən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tighten
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to make firm or secure

verb · CEFR B1

to make something more firm, closed, or secure so it does not move.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to become more tense

verb · CEFR B2

to become stiff or tense, often because you are nervous or angry.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to make rules stricter

verb · CEFR B2

to make laws, rules, or security more strict.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to restrict money or credit

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

to make it harder for people or businesses to borrow money.

For teachers: to reduce the availability of money or credit in an economy, often by raising interest rates.

- 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'.

## Examples

- The bank decided to tighten its lending rules.
- The government plans to tighten fiscal policy to control rising inflation and stabilize the national currency.
- Central banks often tighten monetary policy by raising interest rates, which effectively reduces the total money supply and slows down aggressive economic expansion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.