Uptight
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ʌpˈtaɪt/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Uptight is an adjective meaning (colloquial) Excessively concerned with rules and order, always serious.
Meaning
(colloquial) Excessively concerned with rules and order, always serious.
More Meanings
- Emotionally repressed; nervous and tense.
- (colloquial) Sexually repressed.
- (colloquial) Unfriendly or rude.
- (colloquial) An uptight person.
Example Sentences
He came from a very uptight religious background, but you wouldn't know that now!
Don't be so uptight! You won't go to jail for crossing the street against the light.
Withnail: Just because the best tailoring you’ve ever seen is above your fucking appendix doesn’t mean anything. / Danny: Don’t get uptight with me, man.
Word Forms
- uptighter
- uptightest
- uptights
Synonyms for uptight
Depending on context, synonyms include restive, jittery, tense, high-strung, nervous, nervy.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include overstrung, restive, high-strung, nervy, edgy, jumpy.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.