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 ( def 4 ).

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 )

Derived Forms

• inˈtenseness, noun
• inˈtensely, adverb

Other Words From

• in·tense·ly adverb
• in·tense·ness noun
• hy·per·in·tense adjective
• hy·per·in·tense·ness noun
• o·ver·in·tense adjective
• o·ver·in·tense·ness noun
• su·per·in·tense adjective
• su·per·in·tense·ness 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

Cabler’s vertigo was so intense that he could barely stand, but he was determined to find his best friend.

From Los Angeles Times

Whenever things become too intense, Cabler closes his eyes and counts to seven — a tactic he credits with saving his life in Bali.

From Los Angeles Times

To prepare, the Forest Service asks participants to follow all safety guidelines for enjoying the National Forest system and cutting their own tree — navigating icy roads and elevation gain, dipping in and out of cell service and wielding a saw deep in Department of Agriculture backcountry can be a bit more intense than grabbing a plastic tree at Target.

From Los Angeles Times

The misogyny she experienced when fighting Big Plastic, by contrast, was far more intense.

From Salon

Y2K Rated R for strong language, frequent drug use and intense graphic violence.

From New York Times

Related Words

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