Tense

/tɛns/ · noun

Meaning

(linguistics, uncountable) The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists..

Definitions by Sense

1. (linguistics, uncountable) The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists.
2. (linguistics, grammar, countable) An inflected form of a verb that indicates tense.
3. (grammar, countable, proscribed) A grammatical aspect.
4. (grammar, countable, proscribed) A verb form or construction indicating a combination of tense, aspect, and mood.
5. (grammar, transitive) To apply a tense to.
6. Showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.
7. Characterized by strain (on the nerves, emotions, etc). (Compare charged.)
8. Pulled taut, without any slack.

Example Sentences

Dyirbal verbs are not inflected for tense.

English only has a past tense and a non-past tense; it has no future tense.

In ſo moche that if any verbe be of the thyꝛde coniugation I ſet out all his rotes and tenſes[…]

The "simple present" tense in English can have several meanings.

The Spanish teacher told the student to use the imperfect tense instead of the preterite tense.

tensing a verb

You need to relax, all this overtime and stress is making you tense.

"Attention," the tense man called out in Greek. "This is Lieutenant Kazamakis of the Cypriot Provisional Guard. You will immediately surrender all weapons and slowly come down the stairs, hands above your head." No answer.

Synonyms for tense

Antonyms for tense

Related Words

Word Forms

• tenses
• tensing
• tensed
• tenser
• tensest

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions