How to pronounce uptight
Say it like up-TYTE. Uptight has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TYTE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce uptight. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- up
- TYTE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Uptight pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- upKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TYTESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of uptight
American and British speakers say uptight in essentially the same way: /əpˈtaɪt/ in the US and /əpˈtaɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: up-TYTE.
What does uptight mean?
- Excessively concerned with rules and order, always serious.“Don't be so uptight! You won't go to jail for crossing the street against the light.”
- Emotionally repressed; nervous and tense.
- Sexually repressed.“He came from a very uptight religious background, but you wouldn't know that now!”
- An uptight person.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with uptight
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of uptight.
Questions about saying uptight
How do you pronounce uptight?
Say up-TYTE. The American pronunciation is /əpˈtaɪt/. In British English it is /əpˈtaɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in uptight?
Uptight has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TYTE). Broken into parts: up · TYTE.
Do Americans and Brits say uptight the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əpˈtaɪt/ and the British form is /əpˈtaɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.