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¹intensive

adjective in·ten·sive \in-ˈten(t)-siv\

: involving very great effort or work

grammar : giving force or emphasis to a statement

of farming : designed to increase production without using more land

Full Definition of INTENSIVE

: of, relating to, or marked by intensity or intensification: as

a : highly concentrated <intensive study>

b : tending to strengthen or increase; especially : tending to give force or emphasis <intensive adverb>

c : constituting or relating to a method designed to increase productivity by the expenditure of more capital and labor rather than by increase in scope <intensive farming>

— in·ten·sive·ly adverb

— in·ten·sive·ness noun

See intensive defined for English-language learners

See intensive defined for kids

First Known Use of INTENSIVE

15th century

Related to INTENSIVE

Synonyms: acute, almighty, blistering, deep, dreadful, excruciating, explosive, exquisite, fearful, fearsome, ferocious, fierce, frightful, furious, ghastly, hard, heavy, heavy-duty, hellacious, intense, keen, profound, terrible, vehement, vicious, violent

Antonyms: light, moderate, soft

²intensive

noun

Definition of INTENSIVE

: an intensive linguistic element

See intensive defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of INTENSIVE

1813

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with INTENSIVE

defensive, offensive

INTENSIVELY Defined for Kids

¹intensive

adjective in·ten·sive \in-ˈten-siv\

Definition of INTENSIVE for Kids

: involving special effort or concentration <intensive study>

: giving emphasis <The pronoun “myself” in “I myself did it” is intensive.>

²intensive

noun

Definition of INTENSIVE for Kids

: a word that emphasizes or stresses something <“Quite” is an intensive in “quite a musician.”>

Medical Dictionary

intensive

adjective in·ten·sive \in-ˈten(t)-siv\

Medical Definition of INTENSIVE

: of, relating to, or marked by intensity; especially : involving the use of large doses or substances having great therapeutic activity—compare aggressive 3

—in·ten·sive·ly adverb