tense meaning and definition

TENSE noun

Definition of tense (noun)

1. a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

TENSE verb

Definition of tense (verb)

1. become stretched or tense or taut
   • "the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed;" "the rope strained when the weight was attached"
   • synonyms: strain
2. increase the tension on
   • "alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"; "tense the rope manually before tensing the spring"
3. become tense, nervous, or uneasy
   • "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room"
   • synonyms: tense up
   • antonym: decompress
4. cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
   • "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"
   • synonyms: strain, tense up
   • antonym: loosen up

TENSE adjective

Definition of tense (adjective)

1. in or of a state of physical or nervous tension
   • antonym: relaxed
2. pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in `beat')
   • antonym: lax
3. taut or rigid; stretched tight
   • "tense piano strings"
   • antonym: lax