verb B1 Intermediate Uncommon

tighten

TEYE-tuhn

Tighten (verb) means to make something tighter, firmer, or more secure. Example: “He tightened the bolts on the bicycle wheel.”

verb

To make something tighter, firmer, or more secure.

"He tightened the bolts on the bicycle wheel."

"The rope tightened as the boat drifted away from the dock."

To make rules, controls, or financial conditions stricter or more restrictive.

"The government tightened border security after the incident."

"Banks tightened lending after the crisis."

How to use tighten

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make something more secure, strict, or firm.

Common pairings

tighten a screw tighten security tighten your belt

Word forms

tightened past tense, tightens singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He _____ the bolts on the bicycle wheel.

Etymology

From "tight" plus the verb-forming suffix "-en," though the word actually developed independently from an Old English verb related to pulling or drawing.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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bind brace cinch clench constrict squeeze taughten tauten tense

Antonyms

loosen divide liberate

Related words

part free support space cut release link contract

Rhymes for tighten

lighten frighten heighten brighten enlighten straighten

See all rhymes for tighten →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tighten” mean?

The word “tighten” means to make something tighter, firmer, or more secure. In plain terms, to make something more secure, strict, or firm.

How do you pronounce “tighten”?

“Tighten” is pronounced TEYE-tuhn (/ˈtaɪ.tən/ in IPA).

How do you use “tighten” in a sentence?

Here is “tighten” used in a sentence: “He tightened the bolts on the bicycle wheel.”

What is another word for “tighten”?

Words with a similar meaning to “tighten” include bind, brace, cinch, clench, constrict and squeeze.

What is the opposite of “tighten”?

The opposite of “tighten” — its antonyms — are loosen, divide and liberate.

What part of speech is “tighten”?

“Tighten” is a verb.

Where does the word “tighten” come from?

The word “tighten” comes from Old English. From "tight" plus the verb-forming suffix "-en," though the word actually developed independently from an Old English verb related to pulling or drawing.

Is “tighten” a common word?

“Tighten” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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