intensive

noun

A thing which makes something more intense; specifically (linguistics), a form of a word with a more forceful or stronger sense than the root on which it is built.

(education) A course taught intensively, involving much activity in a short period of time.

adjective

Done with intensity or to a great degree; thorough.

Being made more intense.

Making something more intense; intensifying.

(agriculture, economics) Of agriculture: increasing the productivity of an area of land.

(linguistics) Of a word: serving to give emphasis or force.

Involving much activity in a short period of time; highly concentrated.

Of or pertaining to innate or internal intensity or strength rather than outward extent.

Chiefly suffixed to a noun: using something with intensity; requiring a great amount of something; demanding.

(medicine) Chiefly in intensive care: of care or treatment: involving a great degree of life support, monitoring, and other forms of effort in order to manage life-threatening conditions.

(obsolete) That can be intensified; allowing an increase of degree.

(obsolete) Synonym of intense (“extreme or very high or strong in degree; of feelings, thoughts, etc.: strongly focused”).

Roots

tendotens- · Latin · stretch

Synonyms for intensive

intenseadj intensifiedadj concentratedadj thoroughadj exhaustiveadj thoroughgoingadj comprehensiveadj

Synonyms & related words for intensive

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Words related to intensive

Explore words related to intensive — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include intensiveness, intensively, overintense, rigorous, intensely, strenuous, grueling, intensifier. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for intensive

Common synonyms for intensive include intense, intensified, concentrated, thorough, exhaustive, thoroughgoing, comprehensive — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does intensive come from?

The word intensive breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root tens-, from Latin tendo (“stretch”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.