Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Origin: Perhaps from tough

taut

 adjective
     
taut
1 stretched tight [≠ slack]:
The rope was stretched taut.
2 showing signs of worry, anger etc and not relaxed [= tense]:
a taut smile
Catherine looked upset, her face taut.
3 having firm muscles:
her taut brown body
4 a taut book, film, or play is exciting and does not have any unnecessary parts:
a taut thriller
WORD FOCUS: tight WORD FOCUS: tight
clothes: skintight, figure-hugging, tight-fitting also close-fitting British English, snug
rope/wire/chain: taut
screw/lid/handle: be on firmly/tightly, be firmly fastened/closed

➔ See also tight
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary