Word
tightness
Phoneticstight·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtaɪtnəs/
UK/tˈaɪtnəs/
Definition
n. a feeling of being very full, stiff, or difficult to move. You might feel this in your muscles after exercising or in your throat when you are nervous.
n. a state of being constricted, restricted, or difficult to move; a sensation of pressure or stiffness. Often used to describe physical sensations or the lack of space in a container.
Examples
“I felt a sudden tightness in my chest.”
“The tightness in the muscles made it difficult for the athlete to finish the race.”
“The sudden tightness in the atmosphere suggested that the negotiations were reaching a breaking point, with neither side willing to compromise on their core demands.”
Examples
simple
“I felt a sudden tightness in my chest.”
contextual
“The tightness in the muscles made it difficult for the athlete to finish the race.”
complex
“The sudden tightness in the atmosphere suggested that the negotiations were reaching a breaking point, with neither side willing to compromise on their core demands.”
Real-World Examples
“And what can you do to reduce hip tightness?” “If the quality of a product doesn't sell it, maybe the tightness of the hotpants will.” Etymology
From tight + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/tightness