taut
7 synonyms and 11 antonyms for taut, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Pulled or stretched tight, with no slack.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use taut
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pull taut
a taut thriller
taut muscles
Etymology
From Middle English forms related to tough and to the verb "to draw or pull tight" — its spelling and sense later merged with those roots.
Full origin of taut →Frequently asked questions
What does “taut” mean?
The word “taut” means pulled or stretched tight, with no slack. In plain terms, stretched tight — physically (a rope, a body) or figuratively (tense nerves, tightly controlled writing).
How do you pronounce “taut”?
“Taut” is pronounced tawt (/tɔːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “taut” in a sentence?
Here is “taut” used in a sentence: “He pulled the rope taut before tying it off.”
What is another word for “taut”?
Words with a similar meaning to “taut” include nonslack, strained, stretched, strict, tense and tensioned.
What is the opposite of “taut”?
The opposite of “taut” — its antonyms — are flaccid, floppy, lank, lax and limp.
What part of speech is “taut”?
“Taut” is an adjective.
Where does the word “taut” come from?
The word “taut” comes from Middle English. From Middle English forms related to tough and to the verb "to draw or pull tight" — its spelling and sense later merged with those roots.
How many meanings does “taut” have?
“Taut” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: pulled or stretched tight, with no slack.
