— tightly , adv. — tightness , n.
/tuyt/ , adj. tighter, tightest , adv., tighter, tightest .
adj.
1. firmly or closely fixed in place; not easily moved; secure: a tight knot.
2. drawn or stretched so as to be tense; taut.
3. affording little or no extra room; fitting closely, esp. too closely: a tight collar.
4. difficult to deal with or manage: to be in a tight situation.
5. of such close or compacted texture, or fitted together so closely, as to be impervious to water, air, steam, etc.: a good, tight roof.
6. concise; terse: a tight style of writing.
7. firm; rigid: his tight control of the company.
8. carefully arranged or organized and full; affording little leeway; compact: a tight schedule.
9. nearly even; close: a tight race.
10. Informal.
a. close, as friends; familiar or intimate.
b. united: The strikers are tight in their refusal to accept the proposed contract.
11. parsimonious; stingy.
12. Slang. drunk; tipsy.
13. characterized by scarcity or eager demand; costly; limited; restricted: a tight job market; tight money.
14. Journalism. (of a newspaper) having more news available than is required for or utilizable in a particular issue.
15. Baseball. inside (def. 20).
16. Scot. and North Eng. competent or skillful.
17. tidy.
18. neatly or well built or made.
adv.
19. in a tight manner; closely; firmly; securely; tensely: Shut the door tight. The shirt fit tight across the shoulders.
20. soundly or deeply: to sleep tight.
21. sit tight , to take no action.
[ 1400-50; late ME, sandhi var. of ME thight dense, solid, tight thettr (c. OE -thiht firm, solid, D, G dicht tight, close, dense) ]
Syn. 11. close, niggardly, mean, grasping, frugal, sparing.