Also means
to tighten
Usage Note
Apretar is a stem-changing verb (e→ie): aprieto, aprietas, aprieta. It covers squeezing (a hand), tightening (a screw), pressing (a button), and even 'cramming' people into a space. The noun apretón means a squeeze or a firm handshake (un apretón de manos). Apretar el cinturón ('to tighten one's belt') is a common idiom for cutting expenses.
Examples
"Aprieta el botón para encender la luz."
Natural Translation
Press the button to turn on the light.

Free starter pack
Building your Spanish vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Spanish by topic