tenderness
gb/tˈɛndɚnəs/ us/tˈɛndɚnəs/
B1
English
~ 3000
gyengédség, érzékenység, nyomásérzékenység
NOUN
B1
1
gyengédség
B2
Usage pattern:
to feel [tenderness] toward [someone/something]
He spoke with great tenderness to his elderly mother.
Nagy gyengédséggel beszélt idős édesanyjával.
Her eyes were full of tenderness as she looked at the baby.
Gyengédség tükröződött a szemében, ahogy a kisbabára nézett.
The letter was written with surprising tenderness and honesty.
Learner examples
She looked at the dog with tenderness.
Gyengédséggel nézett a kutyára.
He showed tenderness to his sick friend.
Gyengédséget tanúsított beteg barátja iránt.
The teacher spoke with tenderness to the child.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tenderness' with 'tender' meaning 'easy to chew'; context usually makes the meaning clear.
Meaning
Gentle affection or care
Collocations
show tenderness
|feel tenderness
|tenderness in her voice
|tenderness toward children
Synonyms
affection (Implies warmth and fondness but may be less gentle or delicate than 'tenderness'.)
|
compassion (Highlights empathy for someone's suffering, while 'tenderness' is more about gentle care.)
Antonyms
cruelty (The opposite attitude, involving causing harm or showing no care.)
|
harshness (A manner that is rough or severe instead of gentle.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A soft, kind, and loving feeling toward a person or thing.
A gentle and loving feeling of affection, kindness, or compassion toward someone or something.
NOUN
B2
2
érzékenység
B1
Usage pattern:
[tenderness] in [a body part]
The doctor pressed on the area to check for tenderness.
Az orvos megnyomta az érintett területet, hogy ellenőrizze, van-e nyomásérzékenység.
She felt some tenderness in her ankle after the run.
Futás után némi érzékenységet érzett a bokájában.
Tenderness around the wound is a sign of infection.
Learner examples
I have tenderness in my arm.
Érzékeny a karom.
The nurse asked if I had tenderness in my stomach.
A nővér megkérdezte, érzékeny-e a hasam.
There is tenderness when I touch my knee.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning refers to kindness; in medical contexts, it refers to physical discomfort.
Meaning
Physical soreness or sensitivity
Collocations
tenderness in the abdomen
|muscle tenderness
|joint tenderness
Synonyms
soreness (A general term for discomfort, which may not always involve touch sensitivity.)
|
sensitivity (Can describe heightened reaction to touch, but may also refer to emotional states.)
Antonyms
numbness (Lack of feeling or sensation instead of increased sensitivity.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Pain or discomfort in part of the body when it is touched.
A condition in which a part of the body is painful or sensitive when pressed or touched.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tenderness
IPA
GB/tˈɛndɚnəs/
US/tˈɛndɚnəs/
Syllables & stress
ten - der - ness (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ten)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tenderness
- Plural: tenderness
Word family
Expressions
show tenderness
1/ʃˈoʊ tˈɛndɚnəs/
fixed phrase
Display gentle affection or care
To act in a way that shows gentle love and care for someone or something.
Examples
- Parents should show tenderness to their children.
- He showed great tenderness toward the injured bird.
tenderness in [body part]
1/tˈɛndɚnəs ˈɪn bˈɑdi pˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
technical
Soreness in a body part when touched
Pain or discomfort in a certain body part when it is touched.
Examples
- The patient reported tenderness in the lower back.
- Tenderness in the abdomen can be a symptom of illness.
with tenderness
1/wˈɪθ tˈɛndɚnəs/
fixed phrase
In a gentle, caring way
In a way that shows love and care.
Examples
- She held the kitten with tenderness.
- He spoke to his grandmother with tenderness.