tense
gb/tˈɛns/ us/tˈɛns/
A2
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
state
1
Feeling nervous or worried
Feeling worried, nervous, or unable to relax.
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels tense
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tense' with 'tight' when talking about feelings. 'Tense' is about emotional or mental stress, not physical tightness.
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.)
Collocations
tense atmosphere
|feel tense
|tense situation
|look tense
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She felt tense before giving her speech.
- The atmosphere in the room was tense after the argument.
- He looked tense as he waited for the results.
Learner examples
- I feel tense before a test.
- The room is tense after the fight.
- He is tense when he talks to his boss.
adjective
B1
property
2
Stretched tight or stiff
Pulled tight and not loose.
Usage pattern:
[something] is tense
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'tense' instead of 'tight' for clothing. 'Tense' is usually for muscles, ropes, or situations, not clothes.
Synonyms
taut (Focuses on being physically pulled tight.)
Antonyms
slack (Describes something that is loose or not tight.)
Collocations
tense muscles
|tense body
|tense rope
Themes
physical
|description
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The rope was tense under the weight.
- Her muscles were tense from holding the heavy bag.
- He kept his body tense during the exercise.
Learner examples
- The rope is tense.
- My legs are tense after running.
- His arms are tense when he lifts weights.
Noun
technical
A2
entity
3
Verb form showing time
The form of a verb that shows when something happens (past, present, future).
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'tense' with 'time'. Tense is about verb form, not actual clock time.
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.)
Collocations
present tense
|past tense
|future tense
Themes
language
|grammar
|education
|communication
Examples
- In English, the past tense often ends in -ed.
- The teacher explained how to use the present tense correctly.
- Future tense is less common in some languages.
Learner examples
- We use past tense for yesterday.
- Present tense means now.
- Future tense means later.
Verb
B1
action
4
Make tight or rigid
To make something tight, or to become tight.
Usage pattern:
to tense [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'tense' instead of 'stretch'. 'Tense' means to make tight, not to lengthen.
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.)
Collocations
tense muscles
|tense up
Themes
physical
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She tensed her shoulders before lifting the box.
- His jaw tensed when he heard the bad news.
- The rope tensed as the weight increased.
Learner examples
- I tense my arms when I lift heavy things.
- He tenses his face when angry.
- The rope tenses when we pull it.
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.