tense
tense /t'ens/ (tenser tensest tenses tensing tensed)
1 [ADJ]
A tense situation or period of time is one that makes people anxious, because they do not know what is going to happen next.
This gesture of goodwill did little to improve the tense atmosphere at the talks...
After three very tense weeks he phoned again...
2 [ADJ]
If you are tense, you are anxious and nervous and cannot relax.
Dart, who had at first been very tense, at last relaxed.
● tensely [ADV] usu ADV with v
She waited tensely for the next bulletin...
● tenseness [N-UNCOUNT]
McKay walked slowly toward this screen, feeling a growing tenseness.
3 [ADJ]
If your body is tense, your muscles are tight and not relaxed.
A bath can relax tense muscles.
● tenseness [N-UNCOUNT]
If you feel a tenseness around the eyes, relax your muscles.
4 [VERB] V, V n
If your muscles tense, if you tense, or if you tense your muscles, your muscles become tight and stiff, often because you are anxious or frightened.
Newman's stomach muscles tensed...
Jane tensed her muscles to stop them from shaking.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
Tense up means the same as tense.
When we are under stress our bodies tend to tense up...
Tense up the muscles in both of your legs.
5 [N-COUNT]
The tense of a verb group is its form, which usually shows whether you are referring to past, present, or future time.tense up
see tense 4
1 [ADJ]
A tense situation or period of time is one that makes people anxious, because they do not know what is going to happen next.
This gesture of goodwill did little to improve the tense atmosphere at the talks...
After three very tense weeks he phoned again...
2 [ADJ]
If you are tense, you are anxious and nervous and cannot relax.
Dart, who had at first been very tense, at last relaxed.
● tensely [ADV] usu ADV with v
She waited tensely for the next bulletin...
● tenseness [N-UNCOUNT]
McKay walked slowly toward this screen, feeling a growing tenseness.
3 [ADJ]
If your body is tense, your muscles are tight and not relaxed.
A bath can relax tense muscles.
● tenseness [N-UNCOUNT]
If you feel a tenseness around the eyes, relax your muscles.
4 [VERB] V, V n
If your muscles tense, if you tense, or if you tense your muscles, your muscles become tight and stiff, often because you are anxious or frightened.
Newman's stomach muscles tensed...
Jane tensed her muscles to stop them from shaking.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
Tense up means the same as tense.
When we are under stress our bodies tend to tense up...
Tense up the muscles in both of your legs.
5 [N-COUNT]
The tense of a verb group is its form, which usually shows whether you are referring to past, present, or future time.tense up
see tense 4