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Suffix · forms adjectives

-strung

having the nerves, tension, or emotional state stretched to a specified degree; describing the level of tension in a person or system

In Spanish: de nervios tensos / tenso / con los nervios a flor de pielLiterary

Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated June 2026

What this suffix does

-strung forms compound adjectives that describe the degree of tension in a person's nervous or emotional state, using the metaphor of a strung instrument (like a bow or a stringed instrument). High-strung, tightly-strung, overly-strung, loosely-strung — each compound measures the degree of tension in a person's disposition. "High-strung" is the most common: it describes someone whose nervous system seems stretched to a point of easy reactivity, who responds quickly and intensely to stimulation. The metaphor works because instruments strung too tightly snap or produce shrieking notes; those strung too loosely produce no sound.

How it is pronounced

-strung

Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.

Examples

Base word
With -strung
In a phrase
  • highhigh-strungThe high-strung racehorse had to be walked for an hour before each race to calm its nervous energy.
  • tightlytightly-strungTightly-strung and reactive, she interpreted every ambiguous message as criticism.
  • highlyhighly-strungThe highly-strung soloist needed complete silence backstage before a performance — a single unexpected sound could shatter her focus.
  • overoverstrungThe overstrung economy had been running at maximum capacity for so long that any external shock could cause collapse.
  • looselyloosely-strungLoosely-strung and cheerfully imprecise, the professor's lectures were either fascinating or useless depending on the student.

Common mistakes

high-strung = aggressive or angry
high-strung = nervous and easily reactive, not necessarily aggressive

"High-strung" describes a nervous disposition — a person who reacts quickly and intensely to stimulation, who has a low threshold for stress or anxiety. It does not mean aggressive or angry. A high-strung person may be anxious, easily startled, reactive, or tense — but these are qualities of the nervous system, not of aggression. High-strung people are often sensitive, talented, and intense rather than hostile.

highly-strung and high-strung are different words
highly-strung and high-strung mean the same thing; highly-strung is more common in British English

"Highly-strung" and "high-strung" are variant spellings of the same compound. "High-strung" is the standard American English form; "highly-strung" is more common in British English. Both describe the same quality of nervous reactivity. The choice between them is largely regional rather than semantic.

A trick to remember it

The strung metaphor comes from the tension of a bowstring or the strings of a musical instrument. A string strung too tightly is on the verge of snapping — it vibrates intensely at the slightest touch. A string strung at the right tension produces music; strung too tightly, it breaks or shrieks. "High-strung" people are like over-tensioned strings: they respond intensely to every stimulus, have little slack between stimulus and reaction, and may be brilliant but are often fragile under sustained pressure.

Practise what you learned

Exercise 1 · Form the word

Fill in: "The ___ mare required careful handling — any unexpected noise in the stable could send her into a panic." (having an easily reactive and nervous disposition; not needing much to trigger a strong response)

Hint: High + strung = whose strings (nerves) are strung very tightly; easily reactive.

Exercise 2 · Pick the right one

"The tightly-strung atmosphere in the boardroom made every silence feel loaded." What does "tightly-strung" mean here?

Exercise 3 · Form the word

Fill in: "The ___ economy had been operating at maximum output for so long that even minor disruptions produced catastrophic effects." (stretched beyond safe levels of tension; under stress that has reached dangerous levels)

Hint: Over + strung = strung beyond safe tension; stretched past the point where the tension is manageable.

Frequently asked questions

What does the suffix -strung mean in English?

The suffix -strung having the nerves, tension, or emotional state stretched to a specified degree; describing the level of tension in a person or system In Spanish it usually maps to de nervios tensos / tenso / con los nervios a flor de piel.

Can you give an example of a word with -strung?

"high" becomes "high-strung". It is a typical example of the -strung suffix.

Other useful suffixes

  • -spirited

    having a spirit or energy of a specified kind; describing the vitality, moral disposition, or social orientation of a person

  • -tempered

    having a particular type of temperament or emotional disposition

  • -willed

    having a will of a specified strength or character; describing the force, direction, or quality of a person's determination

Learn every English suffix

-tion, -ness, -ful, -ly, -able... every ending you need to understand thousands of words at once.

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