TOP

Definition of tense verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

  

tense

 verb
verb
NAmE//tɛns//
 
[transitive, intransitive]Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they tense
 
 he / she / it tenses
 
 past simple tensed
 
 -ing form tensing
 
 
jump to other results
  • if you tense your muscles, or you or your muscles tense, they become tight and stiff, especially because you are not relaxed tense something/yourself (up) She tensed her muscles in anticipation of the blow. He tensed himself, listening to see if anyone had followed him. tense (up) His muscles tensed as he got ready to run. She tensed, hearing the strange noise again.
    • Idioms
    be/get tensed up
     
    jump to other results
    to become or feel nervous or worried so that you cannot relax
    See tense in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
    Check pronunciation: tense

    Nearby words