Skip to content

tendu

tense, taut

adjective tahn-DU Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Textures

Also means

strained, on edge

Usage Note

Tendu is the past participle of tendre used as an adjective, meaning physically tight (une corde tendue, 'a taut rope') or emotionally strained (une situation tendue, 'a tense situation'). The feminine form is tendue. In ballet, tendu is an internationally used technical term for a specific leg extension exercise.

Examples

"L'atmosphère dans la salle était tendue."

Natural Translation

The atmosphere in the room was tense.

Explore French by topic