taut

[tawt]

adjective

tauter, tautest 

1. tightly drawn; tense; not slack.

2. emotionally or mentally strained or tense.

   taut nerves.

3. in good order or condition; tidy; neat.

   Synonyms: smart, spruce, trig, trim

taut

/ tɔːt /

adjective

1. tightly stretched; tense

2. showing nervous strain; stressed

3. nautical in good order; neat

Other Word Forms

• tautly adverb
• tautness noun
• untaut adjective
• untautly adverb
• untautness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of taut¹

1275–1325; earlier taught, Middle English tought; akin to tow ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of taut¹

C14 tought; probably related to Old English togian to _tow ¹

Example Sentences

Even when he’s been fiery, nearly frothing at the mouth, Day-Lewis has always been a master of stillness, relying on his tall, taut frame to hint at the formidable power or menace underneath.

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The record’s extras are just as intriguing and inventive; take “Fantasy,” which Michael reworked with Nile Rodgers before his death into a taut, disco-inspired dance number.

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The judges said it's "a brilliantly tense, taut novel that sees an actress's life turned inside out and leaves a lot open to interpretation", adding: "What's real? Audition makes existential detectives of us all."

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One of the toughest items to track down was the Oscar awarded to editor Verna Fields, whose taut cutting built the film’s suspense.

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Butts bounce with a youthful recoil while tight close-ups capture hands with hot pink painted fingernails slapping against taut thighs.

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Related Words

• tense