tension
HighNeutral
Definition
Meaning
The state of being stretched tight or under mental or emotional strain.
In physics, the force transmitted through a string, rope, or similar object; in social contexts, strained relations or conflicts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can denote physical tightness, emotional stress, or situational conflict; often used with prepositions like 'between', 'in', or 'of'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences; pronunciation may vary slightly.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties, associated with stress, strain, or conflict.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
tension between [noun phrase] and [noun phrase]tension in [noun phrase]tension of [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cut the tension”
- “break the tension”
- “ease the tension”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to market tensions or conflicts in negotiations.
Academic
Used in psychology for emotional tension and in physics for mechanical tension.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe personal stress or awkward social situations.
Technical
In engineering, the tension in cables; in medicine, muscle tension.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The engineer tensioned the bridge cables to ensure stability.
American English
- She tensioned the wire before securing it in place.
adjective
British English
- The tensioned fabric was smooth and wrinkle-free.
American English
- A tensioned belt drives the machinery efficiently.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There was a lot of tension in the room during the meeting.
- The tension between the two friends was noticeable after the argument.
- Economic tensions have escalated, leading to new trade policies.
- The geopolitical tensions in the region necessitate careful diplomatic strategies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a tense rope or a stressed person to recall the meaning of tension.
Conceptual Metaphor
TENSION IS A PHYSICAL FORCE, as in 'building tension' or 'releasing tension'.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'тензия'; use 'напряжение' for most contexts, but note that 'напряжение' can also mean voltage.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tension' as a verb where 'tense' is appropriate; e.g., incorrect: 'I tension up' should be 'I tense up'.
- Confusing 'tension' with 'intention' in spoken English.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common collocation with 'tension'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is less common and often technical, meaning to apply tension or make something taut.
'Tension' often implies a state of being stretched or strained, while 'stress' can refer to pressure or mental strain, with some overlap in usage.
In American English, it is pronounced /ˈtɛnʃən/.
Rarely; it typically has negative or neutral connotations, but in contexts like storytelling or sports, 'building tension' can be positive for engagement or excitement.
Collections
Part of a collection
Relationships
B1 · 49 words · Vocabulary for interpersonal and social connections.