intensive
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for intensive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Involving a lot of effort or activity concentrated in a short period; thorough.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
in-depth
Antonyms
How to use intensive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
intensive care
intensive training
labor-intensive
Etymology
From Old French intensif, based on Latin intensus, "stretched, intense."
Full origin of intensive →Frequently asked questions
What does “intensive” mean?
The word “intensive” means involving a lot of effort or activity concentrated in a short period; thorough. In plain terms, concentrated and thorough — a lot packed into a short space of time or effort.
How do you pronounce “intensive”?
“Intensive” is pronounced ihn-TEHN-sihv (/ɪnˈtɛnsɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “intensive” in a sentence?
Here is “intensive” used in a sentence: “She took an intensive Spanish course over the summer.”
What part of speech is “intensive”?
“Intensive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “intensive” come from?
The word “intensive” comes from Latin. From Old French intensif, based on Latin intensus, "stretched, intense.".
Is “intensive” a common word?
“Intensive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between intense and intensive?
Intense means very great or extreme in degree, describing the quality itself: intense heat, intense pressure. Intensive means involving concentrated effort or activity in a short period, describing how something is organized: an intensive course, intensive care. A course can be intensive while the workload it creates feels intense.
Is it "for all intensive purposes" or "for all intents and purposes"?
The correct phrase is for all intents and purposes, meaning "in every practical sense." "For all intensive purposes" is a common mishearing and is considered an error in writing.
