intense

[in-tens]

adjective

1. existing or occurring in a high or extreme degree.

   intense heat.

2. acute, strong, or vehement, as sensations, feelings, or emotions.

   intense anger.

   Synonyms: strong, ardent, passionate, fervent

3. of an extreme kind; very great, as in strength, keenness, severity, or the like.

   an intense gale.

4. having a characteristic quality in a high degree.

   The intense sunlight was blinding.

5. strenuous or earnest, as activity, exertion, diligence, or thought.

   an intense life.

6. exhibiting a high degree of some quality or action.

7. having or showing great strength, strong feeling, or tension, as a person, the face, or language.

8. susceptible to strong emotion; emotional.

   an intense person.

9. (of color) very deep.

   intense red.

10. Photography.,  dense.

intense

/ ɪnˈtɛns /

adjective

1. of extreme force, strength, degree, or amount

   intense heat

2. characterized by deep or forceful feelings

   an intense person

Usage

Intense is sometimes wrongly used where intensive is meant: the land is under intensive (not intense ) cultivation. Intensely is sometimes wrongly used where intently is meant: he listened intently (not intensely )

Other Word Forms

• intenseness noun
• intensely adverb
• hyperintense adjective
• hyperintenseness noun
• overintense adjective
• overintenseness noun
• superintense adjective
• superintenseness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intense¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin intēnsus, variant of intentus, past participle of the verb intendere “to stretch toward”; in- ², tense ¹, intent ², intend

Word History and Origins

Origin of intense¹

C14: from Latin intensus stretched, from intendere to stretch out; see _intend

Example Sentences

Severe thunderstorms could also bring more intense downpours in some places, as well as heavy winds that could take down trees and power lines, forecasters cautioned.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"There is really intense immune activation when you treat innate immune cells with this formulation, which triggers these cells to present antigens and prime tumor-killing T cells."

Read more on Science Daily

“The choreography back here is more intense in a way than the choreography on stage,” Davis says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I have written a textbook on food addiction, obesity and overeating disorders, and, more recently, a self-help book for people who have intense cravings and obsessions for some foods.

Read more on Salon

Supershear quakes send intense shaking farther from the epicenter and strike twice, according to Elbanna -- a sharp initial blow from the shock front followed by the trailing waves.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• acute 
• bitter 
• deep 
• energetic 
• excessive 
• extraordinary 
• extreme 
• fierce 
• great 
• harsh 
• heightened www.thesaurus.com
• intensified www.thesaurus.com
• intensive 
• powerful 
• profound 
• protracted 
• sharp 
• strong 
• violent 
• vivid