# tightness

/ˈtaɪtnəs/ (US) · /tˈaɪtnəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tightness
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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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.