Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

tense

 
 
/tens/ adjective

Definition

FEELING nervous, worried, and not able to relax: The students looked tense as they waited for their exam results.
SITUATION A tense situation makes you feel nervous and worried: There were some tense moments in the second half of the game.
MUSCLE A tense muscle feels tight and stiff.
(Definition of tense adjective from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“tense” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

come rain or shine

whatever happens

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More