tense

• Beschreibt einen Zustand der Anspannung, Nervosität oder Unruhe, oft verbunden mit Stress oder Erwartung. Bezieht sich auf Personen, Situationen, Beziehungen oder Muskeln, die angespannt oder gereizt sind.

Describes a state of being stretched tight, nervous, or causing anxiety.

1. Nervous or anxiousA2formal

   In a state of mental or emotional strain; unable to relax.

   Angespannt

   • She felt tense before the job interview.
   • The atmosphere in the room was very tense.
   • He becomes tense when talking about his past.

   Synonymeanxiousedgyjitterynervousstraineduneasyuptightworried

   Antonymecalmcomposedeasygoingrelaxed

2. B1formal

   Pulled or stretched tightly; not loose or relaxed.

   Straff gespannt

   • The rope was tense from the heavy load.
   • Her muscles were tense after the workout.
   • The fabric was tense across the frame.

   Synonymedrawnrigidstiffstrainedstretchedtauttight

   Antonymeflaccidlaxlimplooserelaxedslack

3. Phonetics: tense vowelC1formal

   Pronounced with relatively tense tongue muscles, as in the vowel sound in 'beat'.

   Gespannt (Vokal)

   • The vowel in 'see' is a tense vowel.
   • Linguists distinguish between tense and lax vowels.
   • In English, tense vowels are longer than lax vowels.

   Antonymelax

• Grammatische Kategorie des Verbs, die zeitliche Verhältnisse wie Vergangenheit, Gegenwart oder Zukunft ausdrückt; auch die konkrete Tempusform eines Verbs sowie der Ausdruck einer angespannten körperlichen oder emotionalen Verfassung.

1. Grammatical time referenceA2formal

   A grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time, such as past, present, or future.

   Tempus

   • In English, the present tense is used for habitual actions.
   • She is learning the past tense of irregular verbs.
   • The future tense often uses the auxiliary verb 'will'.

• Verb, das die Handlung des Anspannens, Dehnens oder Straffens von etwas bezeichnet, auch im Sinne von körperlicher oder geistiger Anspannung.

A verb used to indicate the act of making or becoming stretched, tight, or strained.

1. Become stretched or tautB2formal

   To become tight, rigid, or stretched, often as a result of physical effort or stress.

   Sich anspannen

   • His muscles tensed as he prepared to lift the heavy box.
   • The rope tensed under the weight of the load.
   • She tensed her body before the race began.

   Synonymebracecontractflexstiffenstraintighten

   Antonymeloosenrelaxslacken

2. Increase tension on somethingB2formal

   To apply force to something to make it tighter or more taut.

   Anspannen

   • He tensed the string of the bow before releasing the arrow.
   • The climber tensed the rope to secure his position.
   • She tensed the wire to ensure it was straight.

   Synonymestrainstretchtautentighten

   Antonymeeaseloosenrelaxslacken

3. Become nervous or uneasyB1informal

   To become anxious, nervous, or stressed, often in response to a situation.

   Nervös werden

   • She tensed up when she heard the loud noise.
   • He tensed as the interviewer asked a difficult question.
   • The crowd tensed as the final results were announced.

   Synonymebracestiffentense uptighten up

   Antonymecalmrelaxunwind

4. Cause to be tense or anxiousB2formal

   To make someone feel nervous, uneasy, or anxious.

   Anspannen

   • The news tensed everyone in the room.
   • The constant pressure tensed the team before the deadline.
   • Her harsh words tensed the atmosphere between them.

   Synonymeagitatefazeflusterfrazzlestressunnerveunsettleupset

   Antonymecalmcomforteasereassurerelaxsoothe

Phrasal-Variantentense up