tight
gb/tˈaɪt/ us/tˈaɪt/
A2
English
~ 2700
szoros, szorul, szűk, testhezálló, szűkös, jóban van, összetartó, király, menő
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is tight
The jar lid was so tight I couldn’t open it.
Az üveg fedele annyira rá volt szorulva, hogy nem tudtam kinyitni.
She kept a tight hold on her bag in the crowd.
A tömegben szorosan fogta a táskáját.
Make sure the screws are tight before using the chair.
Learner examples
The door is tight and will not open easily.
Az ajtó szorul, és nem nyílik könnyen.
He wears a tight belt.
Szoros övet hord.
The rope is tight between the two poles.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tight' with 'narrow'. 'Tight' means firmly fixed, while 'narrow' refers to small width.
Meaning
firm and difficult to move
Collocations
tight grip
|tight knot
|tight lid
|tight fit
|tight seal
Synonyms
secure (Implies safely fixed or fastened, often for protection.)
Antonyms
loose (Not firmly fixed or held; free to move.)
Themes
daily life
|objects
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Held in place strongly and not easy to move.
Firmly fixed in place, with little or no space to move or loosen.
A2
2
szűk
A2
testhezálló
B2
Usage pattern:
[clothing/item] is tight on [someone/something]
These shoes are too tight for me.
Ez a cipő túl szűk nekem.
He wore a tight shirt that showed his muscles.
Testhezálló inget viselt, amely kiemelte az izmait.
The ring was tight on her finger.
Learner examples
My pants are tight.
Szűk a nadrágom.
This hat is tight on my head.
Ez a sapka szorítja a fejemet.
The shoes feel tight.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'tight' with 'small'. A shirt can be the right size but still feel tight if it fits too closely.
Meaning
close-fitting
Collocations
tight jeans
|tight dress
|tight shoes
|too tight
|skin tight
Synonyms
snug (Close-fitting but often more comfortable and pleasant than 'tight'.)
Antonyms
loose (Not fitting closely; having extra space.)
Themes
daily life
|fashion
|clothing
|daily_life
Definition
Fitting very close to the body or surface.
Fitting closely against the body or surface, often uncomfortably so.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] is tight on [time/money/etc.]
We’re on a tight budget this month.
Ebben a hónapban szűkös a költségvetésünk.
The project is running on a tight schedule.
A projekt szoros ütemterv szerint halad.
Money has been tight since I lost my job.
Learner examples
I am on a tight budget.
Szűkös a költségvetésem.
We have a tight schedule today.
Ma szoros az időbeosztásunk.
Money is tight for our family.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'tight' with 'strict'. A 'tight budget' means limited money, not strict rules.
Meaning
having limited resources
Collocations
tight budget
|tight schedule
|tight deadline
|money is tight
Synonyms
scarce (Emphasizes the small supply of resources.)
Antonyms
plentiful (Available in large amounts.)
Themes
business
|daily life
|finance
|work
|time
Definition
Not having enough time, money, or resources.
Having very little time, money, or other resources available.
B2
INFORMAL
4
jóban van
B1
összetartó
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is tight with [someone else]
They’ve been tight since high school.
Középiskola óta nagyon jóban vannak.
Our team is really tight and works well together.
A csapatunk nagyon összetartó, és jól dolgozik együtt.
She’s tight with all her neighbors.
Learner examples
We are tight friends.
Nagyon jó barátok vagyunk.
He is tight with his brother.
Nagyon jóban van a testvérével.
Our class is very tight.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is informal and more common in spoken English.
Meaning
close in relationship
Collocations
tight friendship
|tight group
|be tight with
Synonyms
close (General term for having a strong personal connection.)
Antonyms
distant (Not emotionally close.)
Themes
relationships
|emotions
Definition
Being very close friends or having a strong connection with someone.
Having a close and supportive relationship with someone.
B2
INFORMAL
5
That was a tight guitar solo!
Király volt az a gitárszóló!
Your new car is pretty tight.
Elég menő az új kocsid.
The movie had some tight action scenes.
Learner examples
Your song is tight!
Király a számod!
This game is tight.
Ez a játék király.
That dance was tight.
Common mistake:
Learners might think it means physically firm; context shows it's slang praise.
Meaning
excellent (slang)
Collocations
tight performance
|that’s tight
Synonyms
awesome (Informal praise for something impressive.)
Antonyms
lame (Slang for unimpressive or bad.)
Themes
slang
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very good or cool (informal).
Very good, impressive, or well-executed (slang).
Grammar
Dictionary form
tight
IPA
GB/tˈaɪt/
US/tˈaɪt/
Syllables & stress
tight (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tight)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: tight
- Comparative: tighter
- Superlative: tightest
Word family
Expressions
cut it tight
1/kˈʌt ˈɪt tˈaɪt/
idiom
allow little extra time before deadline/event
To plan something so that there is almost no extra time before it must be done, which could cause problems if delayed.
Examples
- You’re cutting it tight if you leave at 8 for a 9 o’clock meeting across town.
- They cut it tight but managed to catch the train.
hold tight
1/hˈoʊld tˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
grasp firmly and not release
To keep holding something strongly and not let go.
Examples
- Hold tight to the railing when you go down the stairs.
- The child held tight to her mother’s hand.
in a tight spot
1/ˈɪn ə tˈaɪt spˈɑt/
idiom
informal
in a difficult situation
In trouble or in a hard situation with few choices.
Examples
- I was in a tight spot when I lost my wallet overseas.
- They found themselves in a tight spot after missing the deadline.
in a tight spot
2/ˈɪn ə tˈaɪt spˈɑt/
idiom
in a difficult situation
In a hard situation with few choices to solve it.
Examples
- I was in a tight spot when I lost my wallet in a foreign city.
- She found herself in a tight spot after missing the deadline.
sit tight
1/sˈɪt tˈaɪt/
idiom
informal
wait without taking action
To stay where you are and wait patiently without doing anything until something happens.
Examples
- Just sit tight while I make a call.
- They told us to sit tight until help arrived.
sit tight
2/sˈɪt tˈaɪt/
idiom
wait without moving or acting
To wait and do nothing until something changes or someone tells you what to do.
Examples
- Just sit tight while I find out what’s going on.
- We sat tight until help arrived.