Crossword Genius

Exciting number of points (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tense

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'exciting' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'number of points' is the wordplay.
'number' becomes 'ten' (ten is a kind of number).
'of points' becomes 'se' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ten'+'se'='TENSE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tense that I've seen before include "show strain" , "Under emotional strain" , "Taut - timely verbal indication" , "Verb form, indicates time" , "Rigid; verb form" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app