tightening

[tˈaɪtənɪŋ] /ˈtī-tᵊn How to pronounce tighten (audio)/ (ame, mw)

tightening — verb

  • tighteningpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • tightenings3rd person singular
  • tighteninging-ing form
  • tighteningedpast simple

1. to pull, turn, or fasten something so that it becomes firmer, less loose, or mor

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to pull, turn, or fasten something so that it becomes firmer, less loose, or more tightly fixed in place — for example, tightening a screw, a rope, a strap, or a set of rules.

例句

The mechanic used a wrench to tighten the bolts on the front wheel.

tighten + physical object (bolt, screw, wheel)

Yumi tightened her grip on the handrail as the bus went around the sharp corner.

同義詞
  • fasten

    more general — can mean 'close or attach'; 'tighten' specifically means making something firmer or less loose

  • secure

    more formal; emphasises preventing movement or danger rather than the physical action of pulling

  • strengthen

    focuses on making something stronger rather than making it tighter or less loose

反義詞
  • loosen

    direct opposite — to make something less tight

  • slacken

    less common, similar to 'loosen' but often used for ropes or sails

文法句型

tighten + noun phrase

tighten + noun phrase + up

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'up' as a particle: 'tighten up the rope' or 'tighten up security'. The object can be physical (a screw, a belt) or abstract (rules, controls, security).

常見錯誤

❌I tightened the screw strong.
✅I tightened the screw firmly.
💡'tightly' is the correct adverb form, not 'strong'.
❌She tightened the door open.
✅She tightened the screw on the door handle.
💡'tighten' fastens or closes; you cannot use it to mean 'open'.

2. to become tighter, firmer, or less loose, often through stretching, drying, cool

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to become tighter, firmer, or less loose, often through stretching, drying, cooling, or emotional tension.

例句

The leather belt tightened around her waist as she pulled the buckle another notch.

tighten + around + body part — physical becoming tight

As the rope dried in the sun it tightened, making the knot almost impossible to undo.

同義詞
  • contract

    more technical; describes muscles, metals, or materials shrinking in size

  • stiffen

    focuses on becoming stiff rather than tight; often used for muscles or joints

反義詞
  • loosen

    direct opposite — to become less tight

  • relax

    common for muscles and body parts

文法句型

tighten + adverb/preposition

用法筆記

Commonly used for body parts reacting to emotion or physical change: 'throat tightens', 'chest tightens', 'muscles tighten'. The subject is usually the thing that becomes tight, not a person acting on it.

常見錯誤

❌I tightened my throat when I saw the snake.
✅My throat tightened when I saw the snake.
💡Use the intransitive form when the tightening happens by itself, not as a deliberate action.