What does TENSE mean?

Parts of Speech:

Noun, adjective, verb

Definitions:

• Noun: A grammatical category that expresses the time at, during, or over which a state or action occurs.
• Adjective: Showing or causing tension; stretched tight.
• Verb: Become tense, typically through anxiety or nervousness.

Pronunciations:

• US: /tɛns/
• UK: /tɛns/

Origin and Usage:

The word "tense" comes from the Latin word "tempus," meaning "time." It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe the grammatical concept of expressing time in language. As an adjective, "tense" has been used since the 17th century to describe something that is stretched tight or causing tension. As a verb, "tense" has been used since the 19th century to describe the act of becoming tense due to anxiety or nervousness.

Synonyms:

• Noun: grammatical category, time, verb form
• Adjective: taut, tight, strained, stressed
• Verb: tighten, stiffen, strain

Related Words:

• anise
• antes
• asset
• esses
• seats

Example Sentences:

• The present tense of the verb "to be" is "am" or "is," depending on the subject.
• She felt tense as she waited for the results of the test.
• He tensed his muscles in preparation for the race.