French word

resserrer

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁəseʁe/

Meaning

  • verbtighten

Example

Peux-tu resserrer la vis un peu ?

Can you tighten the screw a little?

Illustration for resserrer (tighten)

More examples

Ce mois-ci, il faut resserrer la ceinture.

This month, one must tighten the belt.

Core concept

A partly tightened clamp is turned again until it grips harder, while a rule or control is made stricter.

Common phrases

  • resserrer une vis

    tighten a screw

  • resserrer la ceinture

    tighten the belt

Similar words

serrer: To tighten something firmly so it stays in place.
renforcer: To make an effect or influence stronger.
visser: To tighten something by turning a screw.

Definition in French

Serrer de nouveau ou augmenter l'intensité d'un serrage déjà effectué, au sens concret pour des pièces matérielles et au sens figuré pour des règles ou contrôles.

Word origin

Resserrer combines re- with serrer, an Old French verb from Vulgar Latin serrare, related to Latin sera, meaning "bolt".

Usage tips

  • Resserrer takes a direct object, as in resserrer la vis, without a preposition between the verb and the thing tightened.

Opposites

Related words

  • resserrementtighteningnoun
  • resserrétightenedadjective
  • resserragetightening operationnoun

Word lists with this word