ENGLISH
REFERENCE

strung

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈstɹəŋ// UK //stɹˈʌŋ// strung

adj. feeling very nervous, worried, or tense. It describes a state where you are so stressed that you might react strongly to small things.

adj. characterised by extreme nervous tension or emotional strain. Often used as part of the compound 'highly strung' or followed by 'out' to describe a state of exhaustion or agitation.


SIMPLE

He was so strung out after the long meeting.

CONTEXTUAL

The team was tightly strung as they waited for the final results of the competition.

COMPLEX

After weeks of working double shifts without a break, she felt so highly strung that even the sound of a ringing phone made her jump.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Typically used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel', 'be', or 'seem'.

Pitfall

He was very stringed after the exam.He was very strung after the exam.Learners often try to use the regular '-ed' ending, but the correct form for this state is the irregular 'strung'.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference