Taut

Pronunciation

• enPR: tôt, IPA: /tɔːt/
• cot-caught enPR: tät, IPA: /tÉ‘t/
• Rhymes: -ɔːt
• Homophones: taught, tort (in non-rhotic accents), tot (with cot-caught merger)
• Rhymes: -ɑːt

Origin

From Middle English, past participle of tow

Full definition of taut

Adjective

1. Tight; under tension, as in a rope or bow string.
• 1883: Robert Louis Stevenson, The hawser was as taut as a bowstring - so strong she pulled upon her anchor.
2. Experiencing stress or anxiety.
• 1989 Faye Kellerman, The Quality of MercyHis outward appearance was calm, but inside he was very taut.
3. Containing only relevant parts, brief and controlled.
• 2007 Milton C. Sernett, Harriet Tubman: Myth, Memory and HistoryQuick action and dialogue create a taut story, although it is illustration that shapes the characters.

Derived terms

• tauten
• tautly
• tautness

Synonyms