How do you use the word "taut" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "taut": The hairs on the violin bow should not be too taut. Keep the rope taut.

Taut Meaning

/tɔːt/

Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

adjUnder tension, like a stretched bowstring, rope, or sail; tight.

adjNot flabby; firm, toned; (of a person) having a lean, strong body.

Sentence Examples

The hairs on the violin bow should not be too taut.

Keep the rope taut.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

tight tense

Antonyms:

relaxed lax

CEFR Practice Quiz

The climber pulled the rope until it was ____ and ready for the heavy load.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

The rope was pulled ____ between the two trees to provide a secure line for the hikers to hold onto today.

Word Origin & History

The adjective is derived from Middle English taught [and other forms], Early Middle English tohte, towehte (“strained, stretched; distended; tight; firm”), probably from tough, touth, touʒth, toʒt (“powerful, strong; fierce, violent; not tender, tough; hardy, resilient; steadfast, stout; difficult to do or endure”) and possibly influenced by togen, towen, past participle of ten (“to extend, stretch out; to drag, haul, pull, tow, tug”) (modern English tee (“(obsolete) to draw, lead; to draw away; to go, proceed”)), or directly from its etymon Old English tēon (“to drag, draw, pull”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to draw, pull”)) The word may be related to thight (“(dialectal) compact, dense; close-fitting, tight”) and tight; and is cognate with Scots tacht, taght (“taut”). The verb is probably derived from the adjective.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"The hawser was as taut as a bowstring, and the current so strong she pulled upon her anchor. All around the hull, in the blackness, the rippling current bubbled and chattered like a little mountain stream." — 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Ebb-tide Runs”, in Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC, part V (My Sea Adventure), page 185:

"Every piece of binding is first carefully examined and tested; then it is put on, cautiously and accurately. Every turn is hauled taut, taking care that it is in its right place. [...] A sledge journey of the kind we had before us is a serious undertaking, and the work has to be done seriously." — 1912, Roald Amundsen, “The End of the Winter”, in A. G. Chater, transl., The South Pole: An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the “Fram,” 1910–1912 … Translated from the Norwegian … In Two Volumes, volume I, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 350:

"After some moments of interchanging messages with the leaders on the platform, during which the suspense in the hall was tremendously taut, the police left saying that the women arrested would have to report themselves at Bow Street the following morning." — 1914, Constance Lytton, Jane Warton [pseudonym; Lady Constance Bulwer-Lytton], “My Conversion”, in Prisons & Prisoners: Some Personal Experiences, London: William Heinemann, →OCLC, page 19:

"With an engine of the weight of a Garratt heading a long heavy coal train over such a road great skill in handling was necessary; not only by the enginemen but by the guard; the secret, of course, was to keep the couplings as taut as possible throughout the train to avoid severe "snatches"." — 1959 March, “Talking of Trains: The L.M.S. Beyer-Garratts”, in Trains Illustrated, page 122:

"The cord goes taut, tauter, tautest, till down she trips and Adam has a good laugh." — 1971, Yoram Kaniuk, “The Barking”, in [Lazarre] Seymour Simckes, transl., Adam Resurrected: Translated from the Hebrew, New York, N.Y.: Atheneum Books, →OCLC; republished New York, N.Y.: Grove Press, 2008, →ISBN, page 105:

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