Tense

Quick meaning: Tense is a noun meaning (linguistics, uncountable) The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

1. (linguistics, grammar, countable) An inflected form of a verb that indicates tense.
2. (grammar, countable, proscribed) A grammatical aspect.
3. (grammar, countable, proscribed) A verb form or construction indicating a combination of tense, aspect, and mood.
4. (grammar, transitive) To apply a tense to.
5. Showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.
6. Characterized by strain (on the nerves, emotions, etc). (Compare charged.)
7. Pulled taut, without any slack.

Example Sentences

tensing a verb

Dyirbal verbs are not inflected for tense.

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

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

Word Forms

• tenses
• tensing
• tensed
• tenser
• tensest

Synonyms for tense

Depending on context, synonyms include stressed, taut, aroused, strain, restive, jittery.

Antonyms for tense

Common opposites include relaxed, unwind, relax, decompress, unlax, slow down.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include uptight, tight, suspenseful, taut, suspensive, strain.

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