tense
From WikiWord, the free dictionary
/tɛns/
English
Definitions
noun
- (grammar) Any of the forms of a verb which distinguish when an action or state of being occurs or exists.
- (grammar) An inflected form of a verb that indicates tense.“English only has a present tense and a past tense; it has no future tense.”
- The property of indicating the point in time at which an action or state of being occurs or exists.“Dyirbal verbs are not inflected for tense.”
verb
- (grammar) To apply a tense to.“tensing a verb”
verb
- To make or become tense.
adjective
- Showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.“You need to relax, all this overtime and stress is making you tense.”
- Pulled taut, without any slack.
Related words
Synonyms
stressedunrelaxeduptighttightsuspensefultautsuspensivetense upstrainstrainedpumped upwiredoverstrungrestivehigh-strungnervyelectricjumpy
Associated
perfectivepreteritepluperfecttensessubjunctiveparticipleoptativeinfinitiveaoristverbsverbconjugation