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

Exploring these craggy psychological contours from the perspectives of the investigators, the accused’s shocked parents, and a psychologist tasked with evaluating the boy and his parents in four taut episodes is equally impressive.

From Salon

“Forensic Files stories” are told in a taut 22 minutes without teasers and repetition.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most of the protagonists are women, brought to life through Alvarez’s taut, shining sentences.

From Los Angeles Times

The webs snap taut as the crew sews both sides of the ship together.

From Literature

At once the balloon stretched taut, straining at the ropes.

From Literature

Related Words

• tense