tightly stretched; tense showing nervous strain; stressed in good order; neat
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
taut /tɔt/USA pronunciation
adj., -er, -est.
taut•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- tightly drawn;
tense;
not slack:His muscles were taut as he strained to lift the weights. - emotionally tense:taut nerves.
taut•ness, n. [uncountable]
taut (tôt),USA pronunciation
adj., -er, -est.
taut′ly, adv.
taut′ness, n.
- tightly drawn;
tense;
not slack. - emotionally or mentally strained or tense:taut nerves.
- in good order or condition;
tidy;
neat.
- 1275–1325; earlier taught, Middle English tought; akin to tow1
taut′ness, n.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged trim, trig, spruce, smart.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'taut' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
ashlar line
- batten
- chalk line
- curl
- goosewing
- goosewinged
- head
- intent
- lax
- lingoe
- loose
- nip
- overhaul
- racket press
- shroud
- ski pants
- slack
- slacken
- stiff
- stiffen
- strain
- stretch
- tailpiece
- tauted
- tauten
- tauto-
- tautog
- tense
- tetanus
- tight
- tightrope
- twang
- ungirt