# uptight

/əpˈtaɪt/ (US) · /ʌptˈaɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/uptight
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

feeling nervous, worried, or very strict about rules. You use this to describe someone who is too serious or has too much stress.

For teachers: characterised by excessive nervousness, anxiety, or a strict adherence to social conventions. Often used to describe a person's emotional state or a specific personality trait.

## Examples

- He is always so uptight about his appearance.
- The manager was so uptight about the new safety rules that he made everyone feel uncomfortable.
- Her uptight nature made it difficult for her to relax during the weekend, as she constantly checked her phone for work emails.

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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.