extensively
Americanadverb
-
so as to cover a wide range or area; broadly.
He reads and travels extensively and is regarded as one of the best-informed men anywhere.
-
in a far-reaching, comprehensive way; thoroughly.
All the science departments have been extensively renovated, with new tutorial rooms and well-equipped laboratories.
-
at great length or in great detail.
He spoke extensively about the threats his daughter faces as a transgender individual.
-
to a great degree or in great amounts or numbers; a lot.
Although the river is used extensively by boaters, no official map has been developed to show the best places to dock, things to see, and hazards to avoid.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of extensively
Explanation
Something that happens extensively occurs in a wide or broad way — on a large scale or across a large area. When a hurricane extensively affects a state, the damage is spread over many miles. You might decide to extensively edit your anthropology paper after reading the one your friend wrote, or brag that your band will be touring extensively this summer, covering the entire Midwest. In either case, your effort is on a large scale. Extensively comes from the adjective extensive, and both words are rooted in the Latin extendere, "stretch out," from ex, "out," and tendere, "to stretch."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Its crystal structure and basic properties have been studied extensively, leading scientists to believe there were few surprises left to uncover.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
The other – Bruce Schneier – has extensively studied the security infrastructure enabling this.
From Salon • May 28, 2026
Leo's predecessor Pope Francis spoke extensively on the subject, calling for AI to be regulated and warning that it could exacerbate inequalities.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
We delved into this topic extensively last week.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
Since its homeland includes the Fertile Crescent, the cradle of Western civilization and animal domestication, ancient peoples must have experimented extensively with onagers.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
