taut
KK[tˈɔt]IPA/tɔːt/taut — adjective
- tautpositive
- tautercomparative
- tautestsuperlative
1. pulled or drawn so firmly that there is no looseness or slack — used of rope, fa
pulled or drawn so firmly that there is no looseness or slack — used of rope, fabric, skin, or a surface that is stretched to its limit
Saira pulled the rope taut and tied it to the metal ring on the dock.
pull + taut (collocation: pull sth taut)
The trampoline fabric must stay taut so the children do not touch the ground.
Ezra checked the drum skin and adjusted it until the surface felt taut and ready.
A taut wire stretched across the driveway, marking the boundary between the two farms.
Lisa held the fabric taut against the frame while her partner marked the cutting line.
- tight
more general — can mean firmly fixed, fitting closely, or difficult to move, not necessarily at full stretch
- stretched
focuses on the action of pulling outward; less about the resulting tensionless state
- rigid
implies stiffness rather than tension; a rigid object does not bend even without being pulled
2. showing or caused by nervous tension, worry, or anxiety — used of a person's voi
showing or caused by nervous tension, worry, or anxiety — used of a person's voice, expression, mood, or the atmosphere in a situation
Tamar's voice sounded taut and clipped when she answered the phone.
taut voice / taut expression
The atmosphere in the hall grew taut as the judges prepared to announce the winner.
Cyrus gave a taut smile and quickly walked away from the argument.
Sven's shoulders felt taut with worry as he waited outside the operating room.
A taut silence fell over the dinner table after Noor mentioned the accident.
用法筆記
Frequently describes physical signs of nervousness — voice, smile, expression, or the atmosphere — rather than the internal feeling itself. Compare with sense 4 (bodily firmness), which is a neutral or positive physical quality.
常見錯誤
3. using only the words or details that are needed, with nothing extra or unnecessa
using only the words or details that are needed, with nothing extra or unnecessary — used approvingly of writing, speech, film scripts, or storytelling
The editor praised the travel blog for its taut prose and vivid descriptions.
taut prose / taut writing
Quan's short story was so taut that every paragraph moved the plot forward.
The director wanted a taut screenplay with no scenes that slowed the pace.
A taut news report of just three hundred words explained the entire situation.
Yuna prefers taut dialogue where every line reveals something about the character.
用法筆記
This is always a positive judgment — it describes writing that is efficiently structured, not merely short. A text that is 'taut' still communicates fully, just without waste.
常見錯誤
4. firm, strong, and in good physical condition — used of a person's body, muscles,
firm, strong, and in good physical condition — used of a person's body, muscles, or skin that is not soft, loose, or flabby
After months of yoga and running, Wei's arms looked lean and taut.
taut muscles / taut body
The dancer's taut stomach showed how many hours she had spent training.
Pedro's skin stayed taut and smooth even after he turned fifty-five.
Valentina does strength exercises every morning to keep her muscles taut.
The horse's taut muscles rippled as it galloped across the open field.
用法筆記
Describes healthy, exercised body condition resulting from fitness training, not thinness from weight loss. A person can be slim but not have taut muscles.