taut

[ tawt ]
See synonyms for taut on Thesaurus.com
adjective,taut·er, taut·est.
  1. tightly drawn; tense; not slack.

  2. emotionally or mentally strained or tense: taut nerves.

  1. in good order or condition; tidy; neat.

Origin of taut

1
1275–1325; earlier taught,Middle English tought; akin to tow1

Other words for taut

Other words from taut

  • tautly, adverb
  • tautness, noun
  • un·taut, adjective
  • un·taut·ly, adverb
  • un·taut·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with taut

Words Nearby taut

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use taut in a sentence

  • The atmosphere seemed drawn taut before him as though it must any instant split open upon a sound of crying.

    The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
  • As they went cutting sidewise through the water, the sails bellied taut, with the wind filling and overflowing them.

  • How his fingers tingled with anticipation when he grasped the taut double line!

  • Screen wire is very difficult material to fasten on a frame so that it becomes taut.

  • His eyes shone, his chin was thrust forward, every ligament in his body was strung taut.

    The Winning Clue | James Hay, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for taut

taut

/ (tɔːt) /


adjective
  1. tightly stretched; tense

  2. showing nervous strain; stressed

  1. mainly nautical in good order; neat

Origin of taut

1
C14 tought; probably related to Old English togian to tow 1

Derived forms of taut

  • tautly, adverb
  • tautness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012