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tightly

tightly

166 1.0
In a firm way so something does not move or open
  • adverb
  • /ˈtaɪtli/
translation icon : firmemente
  • He held on tightly to the railing as he climbed the steep staircase.
  • tightly controlled
  • bind tightly
  • tightly knit

A sect is a small, tightly cohesive group.

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Examples

  • Yeah, to get this as tightly as we can into the hole.

  • His fingers clung too tightly to my skin.

  • So things hold together tightly and it's hard to change them.

  • It's really about holding on tightly to a fixed view of something.

  • You have to cup your arm at the bottom tightly and then release slowly like this.

  • I must grip it tightly.

  • Grip tightly with your legs.

  • I held hers tightly as we flew the night sky.

  • I shall hold them to my bosom and embrace them tightly.

  • Tonight I want to hug you tightly so I won't forget your smell and warmth.

Synonyms

firmly
vstightly
125 1.0

With a strong, secure hold so something does not move

also emphasizes close packing as well as holding items in place
densely
vstightly
30 2.9

In a way that things or people are close together

emphasizes being held in place rather than merely having many items
securely
vstightly
28 2.9

In a way that keeps something safe and fixed

adds the sense of close packing rather than only safety or protection
snugly
vstightly
5 2.7

In a way that fits closely and comfortably so it is not loose

is more about objects being held so they cannot move rather than comfort
compactly
vstightly
1 4.0

People pack items closely and neatly so they take little space

focuses more on holding things so they do not move rather than saving space

Antonyms

20 3.0

In a relaxed way that is not tightly controlled

Compounds

3 3.7

A group whose members are close and support each other

Close and firm against the shape of something or someone

How Tight

securely
28 2.9
firmly
125 1.0
tightly
166 1.0
snugly
5 2.7
loosely
20 3.0

Surface Forms

tightly positive

Morphology

tightly = tight (transparent) = tight + ly

Formation is the regular adjective-to-adverb derivation with '-ly', so meaning is directly predictable from 'tight'.

Etymology

Tightly comes from the old English word tight, which meant 'drawn together' or 'firm', and the ending -ly means 'in a ... way'. Think of pulling a lid or a rope so it holds and does not move, and that is why tightly means 'in a firm, secure, or closely packed way'.