tense
Explore definitions, synonyms, and language insights of tense
Definitions
Adjective
in or of a state of physical or nervous tension
Adjective
pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in `beat'')
Adjective
taut or rigid; stretched tight; "tense piano strings"
Noun
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
Verb
become stretched or tense or taut; "the bodybuilder''s neck muscles tensed;" "the rope strained when the weight was attached"
Verb
increase the tension on; "alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"; "tense the rope manually before tensing the spring"
Verb
become tense, nervous, or uneasy; "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room"
Verb
cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious; "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"