uptight

adjective

up·​tight ˈəp-ˈtīt 

(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt

1

a

: being tense, nervous, or uneasy

uptight overachievers

b

: angry, indignant

c

: rigidly conventional

an uptight conservative

2

: being in financial difficulties

uptightness

(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• aflutter
• antsy
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• edgy
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• troubled
• uneasy
• unquiet
• upset
• worried

Examples of uptight in a Sentence

If our flight is delayed, there's nothing we can do. There's no reason to get so uptight about it.

I don't know why people are so uptight about sex.

Recent Examples on the Web

Coin Heist, adapted from Elisa Ludwig’s YA novel, follows in the footsteps of The Breakfast Club by uniting high schoolers who otherwise wouldn’t give each other the time of day: a hacker, the headmaster’s slacker son, a football phenom on a scholarship, and an uptight brainiac. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025

During Franklin’s tenure, he’s often come across publicly as too uptight. —Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025

The first sizzling sapphic romance from bestseller Guillory follows the uptight Avery who's exploring her attraction to women for the first time. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024

Jesse Eisenberg — who wrote, directed, and stars opposite Culkin — is the ostensible protagonist David, Benji’s uptight, socially awkward cousin who envies and pities him in equal measure, but A Real Pain is Culkin’s showcase. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

uptight

adjective

up·​tight ˈəp-ˈtīt 

(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt,

ˌəp-ˌtīt

: being tense, nervous, or uneasy