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
Examples of 'taut' in a sentence
taut
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Trends of
taut
View usage for:
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.
Nearby words of
taut
Related terms of
taut
Source
Definition of taut from theCollins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
beach or beech?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
beach
beech
We set off for a day at the .
peal or peel?
Which version is correct?
waist or waste?
Which version is correct?
allowed or aloud?
Which version is correct?
idle or idol?
Which version is correct?
Your score:
Word of the day
silver
Silver is a valuable pale-grey metal that is used for making jewellery and ornaments .
Latest Word Submissions
pupper
Feb 16, 2021
compact heel
Feb 16, 2021
fall on one's sword
Feb 14, 2021
Pendemic
Feb 14, 2021
9 words to sweep you into the world of Bridgerton
2021 is set to be the renaissance of Regency romance, as Netflix viewers indulge themselves in the delicious escapism of Bridgerton, a period romance with a modern twist.
Read more
TikTok’s Sea Shanties: Explore their vocabulary
Well, blow me down. Improbable as it may seem, there’s no denying that sea shanties are having a very real moment in the spotlight.
Near the end of 2020, a video from a young Scottish singer started to do the rounds on the social media platform TikTok.
Read more
Ten US political terms to baffle Brits
The United States will inaugurate a new president on January 20th when Joe Biden will be sworn in as the forty-sixth person to hold the office.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
hangar or hanger?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
hanger
hangar
Use a wooden coat for jackets, rather than a wire one.
role or roll?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
roll
role
He spread butter on the .
which or witch?
Which version is correct?
retch or wretch?
Which version is correct?
scene or seen?
Which version is correct?
Your score: