taut

American  

[tawt] / tɔt /

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

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taut British  

/ tɔːt /

adjective

1. tightly stretched; tense

2. showing nervous strain; stressed

3. nautical in good order; neat

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of taut

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

Example Sentences

My wife and I were in Paris during the tragedy and a decade later, the emotional tether I feel to the city remains taut.

From The Wall Street Journal

A highlight of the fall theater season was Robert Icke’s gripping “Oedipus,” which reimagined Sophocles’ most famous tragedy as a taut drama about a contemporary political dynasty.

From The Wall Street Journal

Moose ran forward until the leash was taut and then doubled back, as if urging them to hurry.

From Literature

A third man, his jacket pulled taut across his chest, had introduced himself without warmth as Gardan Carr, head of the Senate’s protection.

From Literature

Where to watch: Not currently available Nominated for: International feature, sound What we said: “‘Sirāt’ is taut and riveting and nearly all mood.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• tense