English Explanatory Dictionary

tighten

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make tighter.
  2. To become tighter.
  3. To make money harder to borrow or obtain.
  4. To raise short-term interest rates.

Pronunciation

/ˈtaɪ.tən/ [ˈtʰaɪ̯tn̩] [ˈtʰaɪ̯ʔn̩] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-tighten.wav

Word forms

tighten tightens tightening tightened

Etymology

Synchronically equivalent to tight + -en, but actually derived from Middle English tighten, from Old English tyhtan, thus originally unrelated to tight (Old English *þiht).

Synonyms

bind brace cinch clench constrict squeeze tighten taughten tauten tense

Antonyms

loosen divide liberate

Related words

tight

Derived words

belt-tighten retighten tighten down tightener tighten one's belt tighten the purse strings tighten up
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