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extensive

American  
[ik-sten-siv] / ɪkˈstɛn sɪv /

adjective

  1. of great extent; wide, broad.

    an extensive area.

    Synonyms:
    vast, ample, spacious, large, extended
    Antonyms:
    confined, narrow, narrow, limited
  2. covering or extending over a great area.

    extensive travels.

  3. far-reaching; comprehensive; thorough.

    extensive knowledge.

    Antonyms:
    parochial, confined, narrow, narrow, limited
  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 British  
/ 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. agriculture involving or farmed with minimum expenditure of capital or labour, esp depending on a large area of land Compare intensive

  4. 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • extensively adverb
  • extensiveness noun
  • extensivity noun
  • nonextensive adjective
  • nonextensiveness noun
  • preextensive adjective

Etymology

Origin of extensive

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The wooden sculpture was once part of the extensive collection of African artefacts belonging to cosmetics pioneer Helena Rubinstein.

From BBC

Miran added that in times of crisis you get extensive collaboration between the Fed and the Treasury Department.

From The Wall Street Journal

Shares of Kroger jumped in early Monday trading, as investors cheered that, after an extensive search, the grocery giant has finally found its new CEO.

From MarketWatch

“Economic prosperity hasn’t touched my family,” he explains afterward, adding that he grew up in a low-income Los Angeles neighborhood with extensive crime.

From The Wall Street Journal

This depletion may have reduced magma production on the Moon's far side, helping explain why volcanic activity has long been more extensive on the near side than on the far side.

From Science Daily