taut

[ tawt ]
/ tɔt /

adjective, taut·er, taut·est.

tightly drawn; tense; not slack.
emotionally or mentally strained or tense: taut nerves.
in good order or condition; tidy; neat.

Origin of taut

1275–1325; earlier taught, Middle English tought; akin to tow1

OTHER WORDS FROM taut

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH taut

taught taut taunt

Example sentences from the Web for tautness

British Dictionary definitions for tautness

taut
/ (tɔːt) /

adjective

tightly stretched; tense
showing nervous strain; stressed
mainly nautical in good order; neat

Derived forms of taut

tautly, adverb tautness, noun

Word Origin for taut

C14 tought; probably related to Old English togian to tow 1