extensive

[ ik-sten-siv ]

adjective

1. of great extent; wide, broad:

   an extensive area.

   Synonyms: vast, ample, spacious, large, extended

   Antonyms: confined, narrow, limited

2. covering or extending over a great area:

   extensive travels.

3. far-reaching; comprehensive; thorough:

   extensive knowledge.

   Antonyms: limited, parochial, confined, narrow

4. lengthy:

   an extensive journey.

5. great in amount, number, or degree:

   an extensive fortune; extensive political influence.

6. of or having extension:

   Space is extensive, time durational.

7. noting or pertaining to a system of agriculture involving the use or cultivation of large areas of land with a minimum of labor and expense ( intensive ).

extensive

/ ɪkˈstɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. having a large extent, area, scope, degree, etc; vast

   extensive deserts

   an extensive inheritance

2. widespread

   extensive coverage in the press

3. See intensive
   agriculture involving or farmed with minimum expenditure of capital or labour, esp depending on a large area of land Compare intensive
4. See intensive
   physics of or relating to a property, measurement, etc, of a macroscopic system that is proportional to the size of the system Compare intensive

   heat is an extensive property

5. logic
   1. of or relating to logical extension
   2. (of a definition) in terms of the objects to which the term applies rather than its meaning

Derived Forms

• exˈtensiveness, noun
• exˈtensively, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·ten·sive·ly adverb
• ex·ten·sive·ness ex·ten·siv·i·ty [ek-sten-, siv, -i-tee, ik-], noun
• non·ex·ten·sive adjective
• non·ex·ten·sive·ness noun
• pre·ex·ten·sive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extensive¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin extēnsīvus, equivalent to Latin extēns(us) (past participle of extendere “to stretch out”) + -īvus adjective suffix; extend, -ive

Example Sentences

Doctors provide a useful example here thanks to extensive data on doctor-patient interactions and research into racial inequalities in patient care.

From Fortune

Two prominent academics offered extensive research they say proves the effort “illusory”—and a bad idea, even if it weren’t.

From Fortune

Belarus is not a country with extensive well-developed ties to other countries outside its neighborhood.

From Ozy

SDG&E employees have participated in “extensive” drills for conducting wildfire management and shutoff procedures completely virtually, Winn said.

From Voice of San Diego

The posts don’t need to be extensive, persuasive essays to get the job done.

From Search Engine Watch

The building had to be rebuilt in 1963 after extensive damage from the Second World War was finally deemed irreparable.

From The Daily Beast

“Getting a first shot is one thing,” said a former Air Force fighter pilot with extensive experience with Russian weapons.

From The Daily Beast

If a Queen did cheat, her crimes fade into insignificance compared to the extensive philandering engaged in by medieval monarchs.

From The Daily Beast

It also has allowed much more extensive, although not entirely satisfactory, UN inspections.

From The Daily Beast

The website Bishop Accountability keeps some of the most extensive records on allegations of priestly abuse available.

From The Daily Beast

He was a patriot of the noblest and most extensive views, and justly celebrated as a man of learning, eloquent and refined.

From Project Gutenberg

We had half a dozen passengers to Ferrara; for the rest of the way, I had this extensive traveling establishment to myself.

From Project Gutenberg

It also occurs in diseases with extensive and rapid destruction of red blood-corpuscles.

From Project Gutenberg

Richard Chiswell, a noted English printer and an extensive publisher, died.

From Project Gutenberg

This library is considered the most valuable and extensive in American history and antiquities, ever collected.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• broad
• comprehensive
• considerable
• expanded
• huge
• large
• large-scale
• lengthy
• major
• pervasive
• protracted
• sweeping
• vast
• voluminous
• wide-ranging