tense
gb/tˈɛns/ us/tˈɛns/
A2
English
~ 1800
feszült, feszes, megfeszült, igeidő, megfeszít, megfeszül
B1
1
feszült
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels tense
She felt tense before giving her speech.
Feszültnek érezte magát, mielőtt megtartotta a beszédét.
The atmosphere in the room was tense after the argument.
A vita után feszült volt a légkör a szobában.
He looked tense as he waited for the results.
Learner examples
I feel tense before a test.
Dolgozat előtt feszültnek érzem magam.
The room is tense after the fight.
A veszekedés után feszült a hangulat a szobában.
He is tense when he talks to his boss.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tense' with 'tight' when talking about feelings. 'Tense' is about emotional or mental stress, not physical tightness.
Meaning
Feeling nervous or worried
Collocations
tense atmosphere
|feel tense
|tense situation
|look tense
Synonyms
anxious (Often implies worry about something specific or in the future.)
Antonyms
relaxed (Describes a state of calmness and ease, the opposite of tense.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Feeling worried, nervous, or unable to relax.
Experiencing or showing mental strain, anxiety, or nervousness.
B1
2
feszes
B2
megfeszült
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is tense
The rope was tense under the weight.
A súly alatt feszesre húzódott a kötél.
Her muscles were tense from holding the heavy bag.
Megfeszültek az izmai a nehéz táska tartásától.
He kept his body tense during the exercise.
Learner examples
The rope is tense.
A kötél feszes.
My legs are tense after running.
Futás után feszesek a lábizmaim.
His arms are tense when he lifts weights.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'tense' instead of 'tight' for clothing. 'Tense' is usually for muscles, ropes, or situations, not clothes.
Meaning
Stretched tight or stiff
Collocations
tense muscles
|tense body
|tense rope
Synonyms
taut (Focuses on being physically pulled tight.)
Antonyms
slack (Describes something that is loose or not tight.)
Themes
physical
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Pulled tight and not loose.
Stretched so as to be taut or rigid; not slack.
NOUN
A2
TECHNICAL
3
igeidő
B1
In English, the past tense often ends in -ed.
Az angolban a múlt idő gyakran -ed-re végződik.
The teacher explained how to use the present tense correctly.
A tanár elmagyarázta, hogyan kell helyesen használni a jelen időt.
Future tense is less common in some languages.
Learner examples
We use past tense for yesterday.
A tegnapi dolgokról múlt időben beszélünk.
Present tense means now.
A jelen idő a mostra utal.
Future tense means later.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'tense' with 'time'. Tense is about verb form, not actual clock time.
Meaning
Verb form showing time
Collocations
present tense
|past tense
|future tense
Synonyms
verb form (A broader term that can include aspects beyond time.)
Antonyms
aspect (A related grammatical category that shows how an action extends over time rather than when it occurs.)
Themes
language
|grammar
|education
|communication
Definition
The form of a verb that shows when something happens (past, present, future).
A grammatical category that expresses time reference in a verb, such as past, present, or future.
VERB
B1
4
Usage pattern:
to tense [something]
She tensed her shoulders before lifting the box.
Megfeszítette a vállát, mielőtt felemelte a dobozt.
His jaw tensed when he heard the bad news.
Megfeszült az állkapcsa, amikor meghallotta a rossz hírt.
The rope tensed as the weight increased.
Learner examples
I tense my arms when I lift heavy things.
Megfeszítem a karjaimat, amikor nehéz dolgokat emelek.
He tenses his face when angry.
Megfeszíti az arcizmait, amikor dühös.
The rope tenses when we pull it.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'tense' instead of 'stretch'. 'Tense' means to make tight, not to lengthen.
Meaning
Make tight or rigid
Collocations
tense muscles
|tense up
Synonyms
tighten (A more general term for making something tighter; not limited to physical or emotional contexts.)
Antonyms
loosen (Means to make less tight physically.)
Themes
physical
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something tight, or to become tight.
To make something tight or taut, or to become tight or taut.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tense
IPA
GB/tˈɛns/
US/tˈɛns/
Syllables & stress
tense (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tense)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: tense
- Comparative: tenser
- Superlative: tensest
Noun
- Base: tense
- Plural: tense, tenses
Verb
- Base: tense
- 3rd Person Singular: tenses
- Present Participle: tensing
- Past: tensed
Word family
Expressions
in the past tense
1/ˈɪn ðə pˈæst tˈɛns/
fixed phrase
technical
Using verbs for past time
Using a verb form that shows something happened before now.
Examples
- You should write this story in the past tense.
- He spoke in the past tense about his old job.
tense up
1/tˈɛns ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Suddenly become tight or stiff
To suddenly make your body or mind tight because you are nervous, afraid, or ready for action.
Examples
- She tensed up when she saw the snake.
- I always tense up before an exam.