Definition

Adjective: - Being in a tense, nervous, or excitable state: Describes a person who is easily agitated, anxious, or overly sensitive to stress. It implies a temperament that is tightly wound or reactive.

Usage

This adjective is used to describe a person's temperament or emotional state. It often carries a nuance of being overly sensitive, easily stressed, or prone to nervous excitement. - It typically precedes a noun (e.g., a high-strung individual) or follows a linking verb (e.g., She is high-strung). - It is generally used to describe people, though it can sometimes be applied to animals, like certain breeds of dogs or horses.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The lead violinist was so high-strung that she couldn't eat before a performance.
  • His high-strung nature made him overreact to minor setbacks.
  • Living with a high-strung roommate can be challenging.

Advanced Usage

• "to be high-strung": This is the standard construction to describe someone's inherent temperament.
  • Despite his calm appearance, he is actually quite high-strung.
• Used in comparative and superlative forms: more high-strung, most high-strung.
  • Of all the candidates, she was the most high-strung during the interview process.

Variants and Related Words

• Highly strung (adj): A common variant, especially in British English, with the same meaning.
  • The highly strung racehorse needed a calm handler.
• Tense (adj): A more general synonym for being nervous or unable to relax.
• Nervous (adj): Easily agitated or alarmed; anxious.

Synonyms

• Edgy: Nervous, irritable, or tense.
• Jittery: Feeling nervous or unable to relax.
• Excitable: Easily excited, especially to anger or other strong emotions.
• Nervy (informal): Nervous or easily agitated.

Antonyms

• Calm: Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.
• Relaxed: Free from tension and anxiety.
• Placid: Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful.
• Easygoing: Relaxed and tolerant in attitude or manner.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Wound up (too tight)": An informal idiom with a very similar meaning to "high-strung," suggesting someone is tense and ready to react strongly.
  • Don't bother him now; he's really wound up about the deadline.
• "On edge": Nervous, anxious, or irritable.
  • The constant noise had everyone on edge.

Adjective

1. being in a tense state