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

• tautness noun
• tautly adverb
• 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

Yes, it happened with two out and the bases loaded and allowed the Dodgers to steal a National League Division Series clinching 2-1 victory in 11 taut innings Thursday at Dodger Stadium!

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With judicious trimming, particularly of the occasional puddle of expository or repetitive dialogue, the play would gain a tauter pace.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.

Read more on Salon

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."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• tense