tense
1tense
noun \ˈten(t)s\Definition of TENSE
1
: a distinction of form in a verb to express distinctions of time or duration of the action or state it denotes
2
a : a set of inflectional forms of a verb that express distinctions of time b : an inflectional form of a verb expressing a specific time distinction
Examples of TENSE
- The sentence will read better if you change the tense of the verb.
- You should avoid changing tense in the middle of a paragraph.
Origin of TENSE
Middle English tens time, tense, from Anglo-French, from Latin tempus
First Known Use: 14th century
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Previous Word in the Dictionary: tens digit
All Words Near: tense
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