What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Tense vs Tease - What's the difference?

tense | tease |

As nouns the difference between tense and tease

is that tense is any of the forms of a verb which distinguish when an action or state of being occurs or exists while tease is one who teases.

As verbs the difference between tense and tease

is that tense is to apply a tense to while tease is to separate the fibres of a fibrous material.

As an adjective tense

is showing signs of stress or strain; not relaxed.

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

    * * * ----

    tease

    English

    Verb

    (teas)
  • To separate the fibres of a fibrous material.
  • To comb (originally with teasels) so that the fibres all lie in one direction.
  • To back-comb.
  • To poke fun at.
  • To provoke or disturb; to annoy.
  • * (1800-1859)
  • *:Hesuffered them to tease him into acts directly opposed to his strongest inclinations.
  • *1684 , , (Hudibras)
  • *:Not by the force of carnal reason, / But indefatigable teasing .
  • *
  • *:"My tastes," he said, still smiling, "incline me to the garishly sunlit side of this planet." And, to tease her and arouse her to combat: "I prefer a farandole to a nocturne; I'd rather have a painting than an etching; Mr. Whistler bores me with his monochromatic mud; I don't like dull colours, dull sounds, dull intellects;."
  • To entice, to tempt.
  • Derived terms

    * tease out * teaser

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who teases.
  • A single act of teasing.
  • A cock tease; an exotic dancer; a stripper.
  • Synonyms

    * (cock tease) cockteaser, prickteaser

    Anagrams

    *