C1adverbartsmedia
US/ˈtɔːt.li/
UK/ˈtɔːt.li/
in a tight, stretched way, or in a way that keeps the reader nervous and interested
In context
The rope was pulled tautly between the two trees to hold up the tent.
The thriller is tautly written, and every scene pushes the story forward.
She held the leash tautly as the dog strained toward the gate.
Words that go with tautly
adverb + adjective
- tautly writtenIt is a tautly written play with no wasted lines.
- tautly plottedHer tautly plotted novels keep readers up at night.
- tautly constructedThe film is a tautly constructed story about a kidnapping.
verb + adverb
- pull tautlyThe sail was pulled tautly across the frame.
- stretch tautlySkin stretched tautly over his cheekbones.
- hold tautlyHe held the line tautly while the fish fought back.