tense

US /tens/
UK /tens/
"tense" picture
1.

stretched tight or rigid

:
Her muscles were tense after the long workout.
The rope was pulled tense across the gap.
2.

causing or showing anxiety or nervousness

:
The atmosphere in the room was very tense.
He looked tense as he waited for the results.
1.

any of the forms of a verb that may be used to show the time of the action or event

:
The past tense of 'go' is 'went'.
English verbs have different tenses to indicate when an action happens.
1.

make or become stretched tight or rigid

:
He tensed his muscles before lifting the heavy box.
Her body tensed as she heard the sudden noise.