tight

adjective

• 1fixed, fastened, or closed firmly; hard to move, undo, or open:she twisted her handkerchief into a tight knot
• (of clothes or shoes) close-fitting, especially uncomfortably so:the dress was too tight for her
• (of a grip) very firm so as not to let go:she released her tight hold on the dog figurativepresidential advisers keep a tight grip on domestic policy
• (of a ship, building, or object) well sealed against something such as water or air: [in combination]:a light-tight container
• (of a formation or a group of people or things) closely or densely packed together:he levered the bishop out from a tight knot of clerical wives
• (of a community or other group of people) having close relations; secretive:the tenants were far too tight to let anyone know

• 2(of a rope, fabric, or surface) stretched so as to leave no slack; not loose:the drawcord pulls tight
• (of a part of the body or a bodily sensation) feeling painful and constricted, as a result of anxiety or illness:there was a tight feeling in his gut
• (of appearance or manner) tense, irritated, or angry:she gave him a tight smile
• (of a rule, policy, or form of control) strictly imposed:security was tight at yesterday’s ceremony
• (of a game or contest) with evenly matched competitors; very close:he won in a tight finish
• (of a written work or form) concise, condensed, or well structured:a tight argument
• (of an organization or group of people) disciplined or professional; well coordinated:the vocalists are strong, and the band is tight

• 3(of an area or space) having or allowing little room for maneuver:a tight parking spot it was a tight squeeze in the tiny vestibule
• (of a bend, turn, or angle) changing direction sharply; having a short radius.
• (of money or time) limited or restricted:David was out of work and money was tight an ability to work to tight deadlines
• informal (of a person) not willing to spend or give much money; stingy.

• 4 [predic.] informal drunk:later, at the club, he got tight on brandy

adverb

• very firmly, closely, or tensely:he went downstairs, holding tight to the banisters