adjective

 

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.

 

verb

 

If your muscles tense, they become tight and stiff, and if you tense them, you make them do this.

Don't tense your shoulders, just relax.

 

noun

 

the form of a verb which shows the time at which an action happened. For example 'I sing' is in the present tense and 'I will sing' is in the future tense.