uptight

American  

[uhp-tahyt] / ˈʌpˈtaɪt /

adjective

Slang.

1. tense, nervous, or jittery.

2. annoyed or angry.

3. stiffly conventional in manner or attitudes.

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uptight British  

/ ʌpˈtaɪt /

adjective

1. displaying tense repressed nervousness, irritability, or anger

2. unable to give expression to one's feelings, personality, etc

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Other Word Forms

• uptightness noun

Etymology

Origin of uptight

1960–65, up (perhaps as intensifier) + tight

Example Sentences

The depictions of Ruth’s uptight and stingy brother Hyacinth and jealous and mother-in-law from hell “old Mrs. Hall” are both hoots.

From The Wall Street Journal

This wasn’t Clara, not the one he knew, the girl who was a brilliant business owner and too uptight and looked like she’d walked straight out of an old silent film.

From Literature

On its surface, Atlas seems to be delivering a revenge fantasy: All those uptight women who rejected you will get dumped by the time they’re 30, guys!

From Salon

“We are three extremely exhausted dads in our 30s,” replies the uptight one, “how epic could it be?”

From Los Angeles Times

I've worked so hard to be in these positions, the last thing I'm going to do is get uptight about it.

From BBC

Related Words

• anxious
• apprehensive
• cautious
• edgy
• nervous
• uneasy