serrato

tight

adjective ser-RAH-toh Rare

Also means

intense

Usage Note

Serrato literally means 'locked' or 'clenched' (from serrare, to lock/close) but its most common learner-relevant meaning is figurative: a dibattito serrato is a heated, closely fought debate, and un ritmo serrato is a relentless pace. It also describes tight military formation. Do not confuse with serio (serious) or stretto (tight/narrow in a physical sense).

Examples

"Il dibattito è stato serrato fino alla fine."

Natural Translation

The debate was intense right to the end.

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