suspense - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
suspense Word Meanings
- a state of excitement or uncertainty about what will happen next
- mental anxiety due to waiting
- a feeling of tension in storytelling
suspense Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
suspense Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/səˈspɛns/
US
/səˈspɛns/
suspense Word Etymology
Root: sub- (from) + pendere (to hang). Historical Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Memory Image: Imagine a tense moment in a movie where the villain 'hangs' around the corner, creating an atmosphere of dread and anticipation.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Suspense is a noun describing a state of excitement and uncertainty about what will happen next. In everyday speech, people use it to talk about waiting for news, results, or outcomes that matter. It also appears in storytelling, where a good suspense builds tension without giving away the resolution, making readers or viewers lean forward. The concept relies on timing, withholding information, and contrast between safety and danger. Learners often confuse suspense with fear or anxiety; while related, suspense is more about anticipation than immediate terror. A memorable example is a scene that lingers just before a crucial revelation.
Usage Reminders
- Always pair with a verb: build suspense, create suspense, heighten suspense
- Use with nouns like film, novel, scene to specify the type of suspense
- Remember suspense focuses on anticipation, not fear
- Show, don't tell: reveal information gradually to sustain tension
- Differentiate suspense from anxiety by attributing it to the situation and outcome, not to a person’s constant fear
Common Misconceptions
- Suspense is the same as fear or anxiety
- Suspense only appears in scary scenes
- Suspense resolves quickly in a single sentence
- Suspense is purely about danger, not curiosity
- You can use suspense for everyday routine waiting without context
Thinking Differences
Suspense in English often centers on anticipation and what might happen next, whereas other languages may foreground atmosphere, cultural storytelling norms, or explicit clues. Learners tend to overstate fear or reveal too much too soon, flattening suspense into simple tension.
Learning Tips
- Memorize common collocations (build/create heighten suspense).
- Differentiate suspense from fear by focusing on anticipation.
- Practice describing scenes as 'suspenseful' rather than 'scary'.
- Use verbs that indicate pacing (pace, delay, reveal) to discuss suspense.
- Read/watch examples and note where information is withheld.
- Create your own short scene that builds suspense with selective disclosure.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'suspense' mean?
A.A type of flower
B.Excitement or anxiety about what may happen
C.A form of entertainment
D.Nothing particularly important
Step 2: Usage
Choose the sentence that uses the word 'suspense' correctly.
A.The suspense in the thriller kept me on the edge of my seat.
B.I felt a sense of suspense when I wrote my research paper.
C.The movie had a lot of suspense, making it a good salad.
D.She brought suspense to the meeting by discussing the new budget.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'suspense'?
A.Happiness
B.Anxiety
C.Quiet
D.Boredom
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'suspense'?
A.Calmness
B.Fear
C.Surprise
D.Excitement
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario where anticipation is important?
A.Waiting for the results of a job interview can create an atmosphere of suspense.
B.Buying groceries often leads to suspense when checking out.
C.Attending a routine doctor's appointment is very suspenseful.
D.Planning a holiday typically involves little to no suspense.
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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