adj B1 Intermediate Common

intensive

ihn-TEHN-sihv

Intensive (adj) means involving a lot of effort or activity concentrated in a short period; thorough. Example: “She took an intensive Spanish course over the summer.”

adj

Involving a lot of effort or activity concentrated in a short period; thorough.

"She took an intensive Spanish course over the summer."

"He's in intensive care following the surgery."

How to use intensive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishConcentrated and thorough — a lot packed into a short space of time or effort.

Common pairings

intensive care intensive training labor-intensive

Word forms

more intensive comparative, intensives plural, most intensive superlative

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She took an _____ Spanish course over the summer.

Etymology

From Old French intensif, based on Latin intensus, "stretched, intense."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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concentrated thorough rigorous exhaustive in-depth demanding

Related words

full trying total difficult scientific focused careful extensive

Rhymes for intensive

five give dive live olive drive alive strive derive active arrive native

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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.

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