tense
adj. · n. · v.-
1 nervous or worried (adj.) B1 Intermediatefeeling nervous, worried, or unable to relax.
manifesting psychological stress or emotional strain; characterized by a lack of relaxation.
ExampleThe atmosphere in the office was very tense before the big meeting.
ExampleThe negotiators remained tense throughout the night, aware that a single misunderstanding could collapse the entire peace process.
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2 tight or stiff (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatestretched tight or stiff, like a rope or a muscle.
stretched tight or rigid; lacking slack or flexibility.
ExampleHis neck muscles were tense after sitting at the computer all day.
ExampleThe sailor ensured the rope was tense before securing it to the dock, preventing the boat from drifting with the tide.
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3 grammar time (n.) B1 Intermediate Technical Academicthe form of a verb that shows when an action happened, such as the past, present, or future.
a grammatical category that locates a situation in time, typically indicated by verbal inflection or auxiliary forms.
ExampleIn English, we use the past tense to talk about things that finished yesterday.
ExampleThe student struggled to distinguish between the present perfect and the past simple tense during the advanced grammar workshop.
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4 to tighten (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto make your muscles tight or to become tight.
to make or become tense or stretched; often used reflexively regarding musculature.
ExampleYou might tense your shoulders when you are feeling stressed.
ExampleThe athlete's muscles began to tense as she waited for the starting pistol to signal the beginning of the race.
From Middle English tens, from Old French tens (modern French temps), from Latin tempus. Doublet of tempo and tempus.
Borrowed from Latin tēnsus, one form of the past participle of tendō (“stretch”).