Definition of 'taut'
Word forms: comparative tauter
, superlative tautest
2. graded adjective
3. adjective
4. graded adjective
If you describe a piece of writing or a film as taut, you mean that it is good because it is exciting and has no unnecessary details.
[approval]
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
taut in British English
adjective
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
tautly (ˈtautly) adverb
tautness (ˈtautness)
noun
Word origin
C14 tought; probably related to Old English togian to tow1Word Frequency
taut in American English
adjective
1.
tightly stretched
said as of a rope2.
showing strain; tense
a taut smile
SIMILAR WORDS: tight
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
tautly (ˈtautly)
adverb
tautness (ˈtautness)
noun
Word Frequency
taut in American English
(tɔt)
adjectiveWord forms: -er, -est
2.
emotionally or mentally strained or tense
taut nerves
3.
in good order or condition; tidy; neat
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
tautly adverb
tautness
noun
Word origin
[1275–1325; earlier taught, ME tought; akin to tow1]Examples of 'taut' in a sentence
taut
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taut
British English: taut
ADJECTIVE /tɔːt/
Something that is taut is stretched very tight.
When muscles are taut or cold there is more chance of injury or strain.
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Related terms of
taut
Source
Definition of taut from the Collins English Dictionary
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