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tighten

[tahyt-n]

Origin

verb (used with object), verb (used without object)

to make or become tight or tighter.

Origin:
1720–30; tight + -en¹

Related forms

tight·en·er, noun

o·ver·tight·en, verb

re·tight·en, verb

self-tight·en·ing, adjective

un·tight·en, verb (used with object)

Synonyms
secure, anchor, fasten.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Tighten is one of our favorite verbs.

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to spend time idly; loaf.

to flee; abscond:

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Collins

World English Dictionary

tighten (ˈtaɪt^ən)

—vb
1.	to make or become tight or tighter
2.	tighten one's belt to economize

'tightener

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

tighten

"to make tight," 1727; the earlier verb was simply tight, from O.E. tyhtan, from the root of tight.

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"You're a woman who's been getting nothing but dirty breaks. Well, we can clean and tighten your brakes, but you'll have to stay in the garage all night."

-S.J. Perelman

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