extensive
ihk-STEHN-sihv
Extensive (adjective) means covering a large area, range, or amount; thorough. Example: “The flood caused extensive damage to the town.”
adjective
1
Covering a large area, range, or amount; thorough.
"The flood caused extensive damage to the town."
"She has extensive experience in project management."
"The library holds an extensive collection of maps and old newspapers."
How to use extensive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLarge in scope, amount, or coverage — thorough rather than limited.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
extensive damage
extensive research
extensive experience
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more extensive
- Superlative
- most extensive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The flood caused _____ damage to the town.
Etymology
From Late Latin extensīvus, related to Latin extendere, "to stretch out".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for extensive
See all rhymes for extensive →Frequently asked questions
What does “extensive” mean?
The word “extensive” means covering a large area, range, or amount; thorough. In plain terms, large in scope, amount, or coverage — thorough rather than limited.
How do you pronounce “extensive”?
“Extensive” is pronounced ihk-STEHN-sihv (/ɪkˈstɛn.sɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “extensive” in a sentence?
Here is “extensive” used in a sentence: “The flood caused extensive damage to the town.”
What part of speech is “extensive”?
“Extensive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “extensive” come from?
The word “extensive” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin extensīvus, related to Latin extendere, "to stretch out".
Is “extensive” a common word?
“Extensive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between extensive and intensive?
Extensive means covering a wide area or range — broad and far-reaching. Intensive means concentrated and focused, putting a lot of effort into a small area or short time. Extensive research surveys many sources widely; intensive research digs deeply into one. One spreads out, the other drills down.
What is an example of extensive?
"The report required extensive research" means research covering a wide range of sources. "Extensive damage" means damage spread over a large area, and "extensive knowledge" means knowledge that is broad and thorough. In each case the word signals large scope, wide coverage or great amount.
Is extensive a positive or negative word?
It is neutral and takes its tone from context. "Extensive experience" sounds positive, while "extensive damage" is clearly negative. The word itself simply means large in scope or amount; whether that is good or bad depends entirely on what is being described.
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