NYT Dictionary

TIGHTEN

/ˈtaɪ.tən/
VerbTIGHT-entight-en · 2 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2023, 2024

Meaning

To make tighter.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

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 & Antonyms

Synonyms

bindbracecinchclenchconstrictsqueezetightentaughtentautentense

Antonyms

loosendivideliberate

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles:

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