intense
ihn-TEHNS
Intense (adj) means Extremely strong, forceful, or extreme in degree. Example: “The heat was intense enough to melt the tarmac.”
adj
1
Extremely strong, forceful, or extreme in degree.
"The heat was intense enough to melt the tarmac."
"She felt an intense wave of relief when the plane landed safely."
"An intense storm kept the ferry in harbour for the whole day."
2
Describing a person who is very serious, focused, or emotionally passionate.
"He's a bit intense — he takes everything very seriously."
"My new coach is quite intense and wants us to concentrate at every single practice."
"Her intense stare made him wonder whether he had said something wrong."
How to use intense
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery strong or extreme — used for feelings, heat, effort, or a person's manner.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
intense pressure
intense heat
intense focus
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Word forms
- Comparative
- intenser, more intense
- Superlative
- intensest, most intense
Fill the gap
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The heat was _____ enough to melt the tarmac.
Etymology
From Latin intensus, "stretched tight, strained," from intendere, "to stretch out."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for intense
See all rhymes for intense →Frequently asked questions
What does “intense” mean?
The word “intense” means extremely strong, forceful, or extreme in degree. In plain terms, very strong or extreme — used for feelings, heat, effort, or a person's manner.
How do you pronounce “intense”?
“Intense” is pronounced ihn-TEHNS (/ɪnˈtɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “intense” in a sentence?
Here is “intense” used in a sentence: “The heat was intense enough to melt the tarmac.”
What part of speech is “intense”?
“Intense” is an adjective.
Where does the word “intense” come from?
The word “intense” comes from Latin. From Latin intensus, "stretched tight, strained," from intendere, "to stretch out.".
Is “intense” a common word?
“Intense” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “intense” have?
“Intense” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely strong, forceful, or extreme in degree.
What is the difference between intense and intensive?
"Intense" describes something extremely strong or extreme in degree, such as intense heat, intense pain, or intense pressure. "Intensive" describes something concentrated, involving a great deal of effort or activity in a short time, such as an intensive course or intensive care. Swapping them is a common mistake: a feeling is intense, while a training programme is intensive.
What are common collocations with intense?
"Intense" frequently pairs with nouns of force or feeling: intense heat, intense pressure, intense pain, intense competition, intense scrutiny, and intense debate. It also modifies emotions directly, as in intense fear or intense joy.
Is intense formal or informal?
"Intense" is register-neutral and works in both academic writing and everyday speech. In casual conversation it is also used as a standalone reaction, as in "That was intense!", meaning an experience was overwhelming or dramatic.
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