1
a
: having no give or slack : tightly drawn
a taut rope
b
: high-strung, tense
taut nerves
2
a
: kept in proper order or condition
a taut ship
b(1)
: not loose or flabby
taut skin
(2)
: marked by economy of structure and detail
a taut story
tautly
adverb
tautness
noun
Examples of taut in a Sentence
Adjective
The rope was drawn taut.
The book is a taut thriller.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
To use it, hold the tool downward at a 45-degree angle and pull the skin taut while moving the device downward in short, gentle strokes—and feel free to pick your own speed.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
Sean Murray directs a show that is taut with interpersonal tension but not without its laughs.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Clooney and Heslov’s taut script stays on target, resisting any expansion of a story that clocks in a speedy 100 minutes.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taut
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Adjective
At the table, Ochoa took the scissors and snipped the clean, beige natural casing, which was taut like a balloon.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
To use it, hold the tool downward at a 45-degree angle and pull the skin taut while moving the device downward in short, gentle strokes—and feel free to pick your own speed.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
Sean Murray directs a show that is taut with interpersonal tension but not without its laughs.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Clooney and Heslov’s taut script stays on target, resisting any expansion of a story that clocks in a speedy 100 minutes.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taut
Cite this Entry
“Taut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taut. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
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