Taut

Quick meaning: Taut is an adjective meaning (also figuratively) Under tension, like a stretched bowstring, rope, or sail; tight.

Meaning

(also figuratively) Under tension, like a stretched bowstring, rope, or sail; tight.

More Meanings

1. (of a body, muscles, etc.) Not flabby; firm, toned; (of a person) having a lean, strong body.
2. (of music, writing, etc.) Containing only relevant parts; brief and controlled.
3. (figuratively) Experiencing anxiety or stress.
4. (nautical, of a sailor, a ship, etc.) Neat and well-disciplined; (by extension) efficient and in order.
5. (wine) Strong; uncompromising.
6. (transitive) To make taut; to tauten, to tighten.

Example Sentences

The cord goes taut, tauter, tautest, till down she trips and Adam has a good laugh.

I watched him from the side as he strode along. His walk was quite different; his face too looked tauter.

As Red played the intro, he allowed himself a passing glance at her. She was at the back of the crowd, face taut.

The hawser was as taut as a bowstring, and the current so strong she pulled upon her anchor. All around the hull, in the blackness, the rippling current bubbled and chattered like a little mountain stream.

Word Forms

• tauter
• tautest
• tauts
• tauting
• tauted

Synonyms for taut

Depending on context, synonyms include strained, stretched, strict, tense, tensioned, tight.

Antonyms for taut

Common opposites include flaccid, floppy, lank, lax, limp, loose.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include tight, drawn, tense, intense, strained, outstretched.

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