B2 adjective Neutre

tense

/tens/

Describes a person who is nervous, anxious, and unable to relax, often accompanied by physical stiffness. It also refers to a situation, relationship, or atmosphere characterized by strain, potential conflict, or extreme pressure.

Exemples

3 sur 5
1

I always feel incredibly tense before I have to give a presentation to a large audience.

I always feel incredibly nervous and stressed before I have to give a presentation to a large audience.

2

Diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries have remained tense for several months.

Diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries have remained strained for several months.

3

You need to relax; you're way too tense about this minor problem.

You need to relax; you're way too stressed about this minor problem.

Famille de mots

Nom
tension
Verb
tense
Adverbe
tensely
Adjectif
tense
Apparenté
tenseness
💡

Astuce mémo

Think of a 'Tense Tennis' player. Before a high-stakes serve, their muscles are 'tense' (tight) and the atmosphere is 'tense' (strained).

Quiz rapide

The air in the room was ____ as everyone waited for the election results to be announced.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : tense

Exemples

1

I always feel incredibly tense before I have to give a presentation to a large audience.

everyday

I always feel incredibly nervous and stressed before I have to give a presentation to a large audience.

2

Diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries have remained tense for several months.

formal

Diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries have remained strained for several months.

3

You need to relax; you're way too tense about this minor problem.

informal

You need to relax; you're way too stressed about this minor problem.

4

The researcher noted a tense dynamic between the control group and the experimental subjects.

academic

The researcher noted a strained dynamic between the control group and the experimental subjects.

5

The atmosphere in the boardroom became tense when the merger was suddenly cancelled.

business

The atmosphere in the boardroom became filled with pressure when the merger was suddenly cancelled.

Famille de mots

Nom
tension
Verb
tense
Adverbe
tensely
Adjectif
tense
Apparenté
tenseness

Collocations courantes

tense atmosphere a feeling of strain or nervousness in a specific environment
tense muscles physical tightness in the body caused by stress or effort
grow tense to gradually become more nervous or strained
tense silence a quiet moment filled with anxiety or unspoken conflict
tense situation a scenario that is likely to lead to trouble or an outburst

Phrases Courantes

tense up

to make one's muscles or body rigid due to fear or stress

a tense standoff

a situation where two opponents are waiting for the other to act, filled with pressure

break the tension

to do something to make a strained situation more relaxed

Souvent confondu avec

tense vs intense

Intense refers to an extreme degree, depth, or strength (e.g., intense heat), while tense refers to a state of mental or physical strain.

tense vs verb tense

Grammatical 'tense' (past, present) is a noun, whereas 'tense' as an adjective describes emotional or physical state.

📝

Notes d'usage

Use 'tense' to describe both people (internal feelings) and environments (external vibes). It often implies that something is 'stretched' to its limit and might break or explode.

⚠️

Erreurs courantes

Learners sometimes use 'intense' when they mean 'tense'—remember that 'tense' is about stress/tightness, while 'intense' is about power/degree.

💡

Astuce mémo

Think of a 'Tense Tennis' player. Before a high-stakes serve, their muscles are 'tense' (tight) and the atmosphere is 'tense' (strained).

📖

Origine du mot

Derived from the Latin word 'tensus', the past participle of 'tendere', meaning 'to stretch'.

Modèles grammaticaux

Commonly used after linking verbs: 'to feel tense', 'to look tense', 'to become tense'. Can be used as a causative verb: 'to tense one's shoulders'.

Quiz rapide

The air in the room was ____ as everyone waited for the election results to be announced.

Correct !

La bonne réponse est : tense

Mots lis

intrabrevsion

C1

A technical or linguistic term referring to the internal abbreviation or condensation of information within a specific system or document. It describes the act of shortening components for internal efficiency while maintaining the integrity of the overall structure.

prevalor

C1

To prove superior in power, influence, or frequency within a specific context. It describes a situation where one principle, opinion, or force becomes dominant over others.

ultrajuncter

C1

Describing something that exists beyond a standard point of connection or is characterized by an extreme degree of integration between disparate parts. It is typically used in specialized contexts to denote systems, theories, or structures that bridge multiple complex networks simultaneously.

macrosanctible

C1

A large-scale system, institution, or conceptual framework that is regarded as inviolable and beyond criticism due to its perceived sacredness or fundamental importance. It typically refers to entities that are protected from alteration or scrutiny because of their massive cultural or structural status.

uncedate

C1

A formal and technical noun referring to a state or instance where a claim, territory, or right has not been yielded or surrendered. It describes the preservation of original status or possession despite pressure to concede or transfer control.

anvention

C1

To systematically modify or adapt an existing concept or object into a new form, particularly within a controlled environment or set of parameters. This verb describes the process of innovating by bridging the gap between rigorous analysis and creative invention.

semiliberness

C1

To exist in or grant a state of partial liberty or restricted autonomy. It describes the act of functioning within a framework that provides some freedom while maintaining significant oversight or control.

cosolvment

C1

Describing a substance or factor that acts in conjunction with another to facilitate the process of dissolving a solute or resolving a complex situation. In technical contexts, it refers to an auxiliary agent that enhances the solubility of a primary solvent system.

unaudless

C1

Describing something that is completely devoid of sound or impossible to hear. It is often used in literary or technical contexts to emphasize a profound state of silence or a lack of auditory signature.

monosomnful

C1

A noun referring to the physiological or habitual state of experiencing only one continuous, uninterrupted period of sleep within a twenty-four-hour cycle. It describes the quality of a monophasic sleep pattern where rest is concentrated into a single block without supplemental naps.

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