Tense Definition
tense
adjective
- in or of a state of physical or nervous tension
- pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles (e.g., the vowel sound in `beat')
- taut or rigid; stretched tight; "tense piano strings"
noun
- a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
verb
- become stretched or tense or taut; "the bodybuilder's neck muscles tensed;" "the rope strained when the weight was attached"
- increase the tension on; "alternately relax and tense your calf muscle"; "tense the rope manually before tensing the spring"
- become tense, nervous, or uneasy; "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room"
- cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious; "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"
"Tense" in song lyrics
See how tense is used in real songs:
-
"Usin abusin, those of the past tense"
3rd Bass — Wordz of Wizdom -
"Scale like a fence, put you in the past tense"
3rd Bass f/ Chubb Rock — Kick Em in the Grill -
"When I first stepped to her I was nervous and tense"
A+ f/ Q-Tip — Me & My Microphone
Words that rhyme with tense
Usage tips for "tense"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "tense" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for tense to find words that pair well.