きりり

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

taut; tense; stiff and slackless

Describes something pulled tight without slack, such as fabric, a rope, or a posture. Often used with と (きりりと). Compare きりっと.

See also: きりっと

• 帯おびをきりりと締しめる。

  Tighten the obi firmly.

• 彼かれはきりりとした姿し勢せいで立たっていた。

  He stood with a taut, upright posture.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

cling tightly; stretched tight

Used when something is pulled or stretched to its limit, or clings tightly. Overlaps with sense 1 but emphasizes the result of being stretched or clinging.

• 濡ぬれたシャツが肌はだにきりりと張はり付つく。

  The wet shirt clings tightly to the skin.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

creaking (of a door or oar)

Mimetic for a sharp creaking sound, such as a door or oar. Rare and literary; modern usage is limited.

• 古ふるい扉とびらがきりりと音おとを立たてた。

  The old door creaked sharply.