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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

Word Frequency

taut in American English

(tɔt)

adjectiveWord forms: -er, -est

1.

tightly drawn; tense; not slack

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

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 /tɔːt/

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 /ˈtɔt/
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
Thai: ตึง

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Definition of taut from the Collins English Dictionary

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Question: 1

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pidgin or pigeon?

Which version is correct?

They could only speak pidgin English. They could only speak pigeon English.

coarse or course?

Which version is correct?

I'd love to take a coarse in French literature. I'd love to take a course in French literature.

desert or dessert?

Which version is correct?

The vehicles have been modified to suit conditions in the desert. The vehicles have been modified to suit conditions in the dessert.

hear or here?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

hear

here

I'd love to it played by a professional orchestra.

knead or need?

Which version is correct?

I knead to make a phone call. I need to make a phone call.

Your score:

Nov 08, 2021

Word of the day

desertification

Desertification is the process by which a piece of land becomes dry , empty , and unsuitable for growing trees or crops on.

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Scrabble score
for 'taut':
4

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

-

Score: 0 / 5

wait or weight?

Which version is correct?

What is your height and wait? What is your height and weight?

tide or tied?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

tide

tied

The was going out, and the sand was smooth and glittering.

principal or principle?

Which version is correct?

Mr King is the principal of Dartmouth High School. Mr King is the principle of Dartmouth High School.

oar or ore?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

oar

ore

He was using the other as a rudder.

coffee or tea?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

tea

coffee

something is not your cup of

Your score:

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