tighten

Equivalent to tight +‎ -en. From Old English tyhtan, from the root of tight.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈtaɪ.tən/
• Rhymes: -aɪtən
• Homophones: titan, Titan

tighten (third-person singular simple present tightens, present participle tightening, simple past and past participle tightened)

1. (transitive) To make tighter.

   Please tighten that screw a quarter-turn.

   • Fawkes

     Just where I please, with tightened rein / I'll urge thee round the dusty plain.

2. (intransitive) To become tighter.

   That joint is tightening as the wood dries.

3. (economics) To make money harder to borrow or obtain.

   If the government doesn't tighten the money supply, inflation is certain to be harsh.

4. (economics) To raise short-term interest rates.

   The Fed is expected to tighten by a quarter-point.

• (make tighter): loosen

• tight

• tingeth