tense
gb/tˈɛns/ us/tˈɛns/
A2
Inglés
~ 1800
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B1
state
1
Feeling nervous or worried
Feeling worried, nervous, or unable to relax.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] feels tense
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tense' with 'tight' when talking about feelings. 'Tense' is about emotional or mental stress, not physical tightness.
Sinónimos
anxious (Often implies worry about something specific or in the future.)
Antónimos
relaxed (Describes a state of calmness and ease, the opposite of tense.)
Colocaciones
tense atmosphere
|feel tense
|tense situation
|look tense
Temas
emotions
|daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- 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.
Patrón de uso:
[something] is tense
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use 'tense' instead of 'tight' for clothing. 'Tense' is usually for muscles, ropes, or situations, not clothes.
Sinónimos
taut (Focuses on being physically pulled tight.)
Antónimos
slack (Describes something that is loose or not tight.)
Colocaciones
tense muscles
|tense body
|tense rope
Temas
physical
|description
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The rope was tense under the weight.
- Her muscles were tense from holding the heavy bag.
- He kept his body tense during the exercise.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The rope is tense.
- My legs are tense after running.
- His arms are tense when he lifts weights.
Sustantivo
technical
A2
entity
3
Verb form showing time
The form of a verb that shows when something happens (past, present, future).
Error frecuente:
Learners may confuse 'tense' with 'time'. Tense is about verb form, not actual clock time.
Sinónimos
verb form (A broader term that can include aspects beyond time.)
Antónimos
aspect (A related grammatical category that shows how an action extends over time rather than when it occurs.)
Colocaciones
present tense
|past tense
|future tense
Temas
language
|grammar
|education
|communication
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- We use past tense for yesterday.
- Present tense means now.
- Future tense means later.
Verbo
B1
action
4
Make tight or rigid
To make something tight, or to become tight.
Patrón de uso:
to tense [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use 'tense' instead of 'stretch'. 'Tense' means to make tight, not to lengthen.
Sinónimos
tighten (A more general term for making something tighter; not limited to physical or emotional contexts.)
Antónimos
loosen (Means to make less tight physically.)
Colocaciones
tense muscles
|tense up
Temas
physical
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- She tensed her shoulders before lifting the box.
- His jaw tensed when he heard the bad news.
- The rope tensed as the weight increased.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I tense my arms when I lift heavy things.
- He tenses his face when angry.
- The rope tenses when we pull it.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
tense
AFI
GB/tˈɛns/
US/tˈɛns/
Sílabas y acento
tense (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (tense)
Formas de la palabra
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
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- She tensed up when she saw the snake.
- I always tense up before an exam.