Meaning & Definition of Tense in English
English⟶
Tense
/tɛns/
noun
1. A grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
synonym:
- tense
verb
1. Become stretched or tense or taut
- "The bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed
- " "the rope strained when the weight was attached"
synonym:
- strain,
- tense
2. Increase the tension on
- "Alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"
- "Tense the rope manually before tensing the spring"
synonym:
- tense
3. Become tense, nervous, or uneasy
- "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room"
synonym:
- tense,
- tense up
4. Cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
- "He got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"
synonym:
- tense,
- strain,
- tense up
adjective
1. In or of a state of physical or nervous tension
synonym:
- tense
2. Pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in `beat')
synonym:
- tense
3. Taut or rigid
- Stretched tight
- "Tense piano strings"
synonym:
- tense
Examples of using
In the most thrilling moment, everyone looked very tense.
Which endings does this verb have in the present tense?
There was a tense atmosphere in the room.