1 : difficult to move : fastened, attached, or held in a position that is not easy to move
▪ The lid is too tight. I can't loosen it. ▪ She made a tight knot in the rope. ▪ Keep a tight grip/hold on his hand when you cross the street. — opposite loose 2 : fitting very close to your body
▪ tight [=snug] T-shirts ▪ a tight pair of jeans = a pair of tight jeans ▪ These shoes are too tight. [=they are too small] ▪ a tight bandage — opposite loose; see also skintight 3 : flat or firm from being pulled or stretched
▪ a tight wire/string ▪ Pull the ribbon tight and make a bow. — opposite loose 4 : tense or stiff : not relaxed
▪ Her muscles were tight. ▪ His throat/chest felt tight. ▪ a tight smile ▪ She answered in a tight voice. — opposite loose 5 : hard and muscular
▪ an athlete with a tight stomach/body ▪ He has tight abs. 6 : having parts that are very close together
▪ The cat was curled into a tight ball. ▪ a fabric with a tight weave ▪ The swimming goggles should create a tight seal around your eyes. — see also airtight, watertight 7 : not having or allowing much room
▪ Space was tight at their first home. [=their first home was small; they did not have much room] ▪ There's a tight space you can crawl through underneath the house. ▪ The tunnel gets pretty tight up ahead. ▪ We got everything into the suitcase, but it was a tight squeeze. [=the suitcase was very full/packed] 8 : not having or allowing much time
▪ We are on a tight schedule. ▪ The project has a very tight deadline. ▪ Time was tight, so we couldn't stay long. 9 : close or equal in score, progress, or ability
▪ It was a very tight race/game. ▪ It was one of the tightest presidential elections in history. ▪ The teams play in a tight division. 10 : not allowing much freedom : strict about controlling what happens
▪ She kept a tight hand on the business. [=she controlled the business in a very strict way] ▪ The mayor put tighter security in place for the concert. ▪ He has people working for him, but he has/keeps a tight rein on every part of the process. 11 : difficult or awkward
▪ You've put me in a tight spot. [=a difficult position] ▪ They were in a tight spot financially. [=they did not have much money; they were having financial problems] 12 a : low in supply : not easily available
▪ We can't afford a vacation right now because money is tight. [=scarce] ▪ Jobs are tight right now. [=there are not many jobs available right now]
b — used to describe a situation that is difficult because there is not enough of something ▪ Things have been a little tight [=money has been scarce] since I lost my job. ▪ a tight job market [=a situation in which there are few jobs] 13 informal + usually disapproving : not giving or spending money freely : stingy or cheap
▪ He's pretty tight with his money. 14 : having a close personal or professional relationship
▪ We've been tight [=very friendly] for a long time. ▪ a tight group of friends — often + with ▪ She's tight with the boss. 15 : curving or changing direction suddenly
▪ There is a tight [=sharp] bend in the road up ahead. ▪ Make a tight right turn at the traffic light. 16 informal + old-fashioned : very drunk
▪ getting tight at a bar