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Definition of 'taut'

Word Frequency

taut

(tɔːt )

Word forms: comparative tauter , superlative tautest

1. adjective

Something that is taut is stretched very tight.

When muscles are taut or cold there is more chance of injury or strain.

The clothes line is pulled taut and secured.

Synonyms: tight, stretched, rigid, tightly stretched More Synonyms of taut

2. graded adjective

If a person or their body is taut, they are very lean with firm muscles.

That summer she had shed the weight gained during pregnancy, her body was trim and taut.

3. adjective

If someone has a taut expression, they look very worried and tense.

Ben sat up quickly, his face taut and terrified.

Little by little she lost the taut, strained air of perpetual anxiety.

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]

...Eric Rochant's 'Aux yeux du monde', a taut thriller about the kidnapping of a school bus.

Synonyms: concise, terse, succinct, sharp More Synonyms of taut

More Synonyms of taut

COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

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Word Frequency

taut in British English

(tɔːt )

adjective

1.

tightly stretched; tense

2.

showing nervous strain; stressed

3. mainly nautical

in good order; neat

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 tow1

Word Frequency

taut in American English

(tɔt )

adjective

1.

tightly stretched

said as of a rope

2.

showing strain; tense

a taut smile

3.

tidy, well-disciplined, efficient, etc.

a taut ship

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 origin

ME toght, tight, firm, prob. < pp. of togen (< OE togian), to pull, tow1

Examples of 'taut' in a sentence
taut

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

This looks like a taut, low-key thriller that could well be a massive hit.The reflected light of the big screen plays on his taut and pinched face with the burning eyes. Ensemble scenes are taut, tense and terrifying.My body goes taut, my breath catches.She looked nice and taut and fresh, but notably inexpensive.On the programme, you can tell by their taut faces how uncomfortable the participants feel.A taut and tense thriller so polished you can see your face in it.A daily fix can leave your face taut and looking washed out. Leaning against the fireplace, his body seemed less taut and a bit of colour crept back into his cheeks.The removal of this all too often leaves our faces feeling taut, but lemon can restore this necessary acid balance.

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taut

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In other languages
taut

British English: taut ADJECTIVE

Something that is taut is stretched very tight.

When muscles are taut or cold there is more chance of injury or strain.

American English: taut
Brazilian Portuguese: esticado
Chinese: 紧绷的
European Spanish: tenso
French: tendu
German: straff
Italian: teso
Japanese: ピンと張られた
Korean: 팽팽한
European Portuguese: esticado
Latin American Spanish: tenso

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Nearby words of
taut

Related terms of
taut

taut-

Source

Definition of taut from the Collins English Dictionary

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Question: 1

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able or capable?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

capable

able

He's of loyalty.

chef or chief?

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I spoke to the chef of UK operations. I spoke to the chief of UK operations.

almost or nearly?

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It's not almost as nice. It's not nearly as nice.

afraid or frightened?

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frightened

afraid

All I could see was a very dog.

brand or make?

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brand

make

This is my favourite of cereal.

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Jan 06, 2021

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Scrabble score
for 'taut':
4

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

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Score: 0 / 5

faltering economy or industrial economies?

Which version is correct?

The programme has wide significance for other advanced faltering economy. The programme has wide significance for other advanced industrial economies.

draft proposal or takeover proposal?

Which version is correct?

The board is expected to meet today to consider a formal draft proposal. The board is expected to meet today to consider a formal takeover proposal.

negative view or ocean views?

Which version is correct?

There isn't a pool but the negative view are wonderful. There isn't a pool but the ocean views are wonderful.

fantastic atmosphere or poisonous atmosphere?

Which version is correct?

With more seats made available, it should be a fantastic atmosphere. With more seats made available, it should be a poisonous atmosphere.

face the danger or spell danger?

Which version is correct?

There are also good reasons to face the danger and go ahead. There are also good reasons to spell danger and go ahead.

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