taut

About 1.60 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective Of a body, muscle, etc., not flabby; firm, toned.
2. adjective Of a person, having a lean, strong body.
3. adjective Of music, writing, etc., containing only relevant parts; brief and controlled.
4. adjective Under tension, like a stretched bowstring, rope, or sail; tight.
5. adjective Experiencing anxiety or stress.
6. adjective Of a sailor, ship, etc., neat and well-disciplined. Efficient and in order.
7. adjective Efficient and in order.
8. adjective Strong; uncompromising.

Similar words

tight drawn tense intense strained outstretched high-strung jittery edgy uptight

Often followed by

and with as in by muscles over line skin

Word family

tauted tauter tautest tauting tautly tautness tautnesses tauts