American English
/ˈtʰɛn.sli/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Related entry: tense
Worried and unable to relax, or making people feel this way.
Practice out loudWorried and unable to relax, or making people feel this way.
I always feel tense before an interview.
The room became tense after the announcement.
tense atmosphere · tense situation · tense moment · tense relationship
feel tense before + noun/gerund
a tense + situation/atmosphere/moment
Tight and not relaxed, especially in a muscle or part of the body.
My shoulders are tense after working at my desk.
Try to relax your tense neck muscles.
tense muscles · tense shoulders · tense neck · tense back
tense + muscles/shoulders
muscles/shoulders + feel + tense
A form of a verb that shows when an action or situation happens.
This sentence uses the past tense.
Write your answer in the present tense.
In English, tense is the verb form; time is the real-world past, present, or future.
past tense · present tense · future tense · verb tense
use the + past/present/future + tense
in the + past/present/future + tense
To make your muscles tight, or to become tight, often because you are nervous.
I tense my muscles when I hear a strange noise.
She tensed up when the door opened.
tense your muscles · tense up
tense + your muscles
tense up when + something happens
to become nervous or physically tight
I tense up before important meetings.
using verb forms for past time
The story is written in the past tense.
When you add -ing, tense becomes tensing: the final e disappears.