/tens/

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Meaning

Nervous and unable to relax, or stretched tight.

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Word origin

From Latin tensus, meaning stretched, from the verb tendere, to stretch.

Origin
Latin
Root
tensus
English cognates
tension, extend

Examples

.

"Tense" means nervous and not able to relax.

.

A tense mood is one where everyone feels worried.

.

Here "tense" means the muscles are tight and hard.

Where this fits

Used in

Grammar articles

(20)

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tense: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the English word "tense" (Nervous and unable to relax, or stretched tight.): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is taught in chapter 31, lesson 1: tense, fraud, doom and 7 more words.