taut
gb/tˈɔt/ us/tˈɔt/
B2
Inglese
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
B2
property
1
stretched tight; not slack
Pulled tight and straight, not loose.
Schema d'uso:
[something] is taut; pull [something] taut; stretched taut
Errore comune:
Often confused with taunt (to mock); taut describes tightness, not teasing.
Sinonimi
tight (More general and common; not always about being stretched.)
|
stretched (Emphasizes being pulled to a longer position.)
|
tense (Common for muscles rather than ropes or fabric.)
Contrari
slack (Hanging loosely with extra length or droop.)
|
loose (Not firmly held or tightened.)
|
limp (Soft and lacking firmness, especially fabric.)
Collocazioni
taut rope
|taut line
|taut wire
|taut sail
|taut fabric
|taut skin
|taut muscles
|pulled taut
|stretched taut
|keep it taut
Temi
daily_life
|materials
|sports
|outdoors
Esempi
- He pulled the tent rope taut and hammered the peg into the ground.
- Keep the fishing line taut so the hook doesn’t slip out.
- After the workout, her calf muscles felt tight and taut.
Esempi per chi studia
- Pull the string taut.
- The rope is taut.
adjective
C1
property
2
tightly controlled and concise
Short and well organized, with nothing extra.
Schema d'uso:
taut [noun]; a taut narrative/plot/thriller; taut prose
Errore comune:
In this sense, taut does not mean ‘tight’ physically; it means ‘well-controlled’ in style or structure.
Sinonimi
tight (Common in reviews; suggests good structure with no wasted parts.)
|
lean (Stresses simplicity and cutting anything unnecessary.)
|
crisp (Suggests clarity and sharpness as well as brevity.)
Contrari
rambling (Goes on too long and wanders off topic.)
|
wordy (Uses more words than necessary.)
|
loose (Less controlled or less well organized.)
Collocazioni
taut narrative
|taut plot
|taut thriller
|taut drama
|taut pacing
|taut prose
|taut writing
|taut script
|taut dialogue
|taut structure
Temi
arts
|media
|education
Esempi
- The director keeps the first act taut, with every scene pushing the story forward.
- Her essay is taut and persuasive, with no filler.
- It’s a taut thriller that builds tension without relying on shock value.
Esempi per chi studia
- The story is taut and exciting.
- His writing is taut.
adjective
C1
state
3
tense or strained emotionally
Feeling tense and not relaxed.
Schema d'uso:
taut with [emotion]; a taut atmosphere/silence
Errore comune:
Learners may overuse tense; taut is more vivid and often suggests tension you can almost ‘feel’ in the air or body.
Sinonimi
tense (Most general synonym for emotional strain.)
|
strained (Often used for relationships or situations under pressure.)
|
edgy (More informal; suggests irritability or nervousness.)
Contrari
relaxed (Free from tension and strain.)
|
calm (Not upset or anxious.)
|
easygoing (Habitually relaxed in attitude (more about personality).)
Collocazioni
taut with anger
|taut with nerves
|taut with tension
|taut silence
|taut atmosphere
|taut smile
|taut expression
|taut voice
|taut face
|taut meeting
Temi
emotions
|relationships
|work
Esempi
- The room went taut as they waited for the verdict.
- His voice sounded taut with anger.
- There was a taut silence after the manager’s announcement.
Esempi per chi studia
- I felt taut before the exam.
- The air in the room was taut.
Grammatica
Forma base
taut
IPA
GB/tˈɔt/
US/tˈɔt/
Sillabe e accento
taut (1 sillaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (taut)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: taut
- Comparative: tauter
- Superlative: tautest
Espressioni
as taut as a bowstring
1/ˈæz tˈɔt ˈæz ə bˈaʊstɹɪŋ/
idiom
extremely tight and ready to snap
Very tight, or very tense.
Esempi
- The cable was as taut as a bowstring after they lifted the load.
- She sat as taut as a bowstring, waiting for her name to be called.
as taut as a drum
1/ˈæz tˈɔt ˈæz ə dɹˈʌm/
idiom
extremely tight and firm
Very tight and not loose.
Esempi
- He checked the tent and found the canvas as taut as a drum.
- After he tightened the bolts, the wire was as taut as a drum.