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Firm vs Tense - What's the difference?

firm | tense |

As nouns the difference between firm and tense

is that firm is a business partnership; the name under which it trades while tense is any of the forms of a verb which distinguish when an action or state of being occurs or exists.

As adjectives the difference between firm and tense

is that firm is steadfast, secure, hard (in position while tense is showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.

As verbs the difference between firm and tense

is that firm is to make firm or strong; fix securely while tense is to apply a tense to.

firm

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)
  • (UK, business) A business partnership; the name under which it trades.
  • (business, economics) A business enterprise, however organized.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-01, volume=407, issue=8838, page=71, magazine=(The Economist)
    • , title= End of the peer show , passage=Finance is seldom romantic. But the idea of peer-to-peer lending comes close. This is an industry that brings together individual savers and lenders on online platforms.
  • (slang) A criminal gang.

    • Etymology 2

    (etyl) ferme, from (etyl) ferme, from (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (er)
  • steadfast, secure, hard (in position)
  • * It's good to have a firm grip when shaking hands.
  • fixed (in opinion)
    • a firm''' believer; a '''firm''' friend; a '''firm adherent
  • * He was firm that selling his company would a good choice and didn't let anyone talk him out of it.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 9 , author=John Percy , title=Birmingham City 2 Blackpool 2 (2-3 on agg): match report , work=the Telegraph citation , page= , passage=With such constant off-field turmoil Hughton’s work has been remarkable and this may have been his last game in charge. West Bromwich Albion, searching for a replacement for Roy Hodgson, are firm admirers.}}
  • solid, rigid (material state)
    • firm''' flesh; '''firm''' muscles, '''firm''' wood; '''firm land (i.e. not soft and marshy)
    Derived terms
    * firm up * firmish * firmly * firmness * firmware

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make firm or strong; fix securely.
  • To make compact or resistant to pressure; solidify.
  • To become firm; stabilise.
  • To improve after decline.
  • Aust. To shorten (of betting odds).

    • Anagrams

    * * ----

    tense

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) tens (modern French temps), from (etyl) tempus.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (grammar) Any of the forms of a verb which distinguish when an action or state of being occurs or exists.
    • The basic tenses in English are present, past and future.
    Derived terms
    * tensal

    Verb

    (tens)
  • (grammar) To apply a tense to.
    • tensing a verb

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) tensus, past participle of .

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.
    • You need to relax, all this overtime and stress is making you tense .
  • Pulled taut, without any slack.
    • Derived terms
    * hypertense

    Verb

    (tens)
  • To make or become tense.

    • Anagrams

    * * * ----