extensive

[ik-sten-siv]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

"This kind of attack is the reason why we have such extensive security in place across the Jewish community."

From BBC

After "extensive inquiries", he was charged with various offences in April.

From BBC

In written submissions, barrister David Sherborne said it could be "inferred" through an invoice that extensive details in a Daily Mail story ahead of Prince William's birthday party were "obtained through blagging" - meaning dishonestly.

From BBC

A force spokesperson said: "Graham's death continues to be treated as unexplained and extensive inquiries are ongoing."

From BBC

The GOP assiduously examined Gould’s extensive writings, which included proposals for reform of the increasingly creaky NLRB, for suspect pro-union thinking in what he labels “a deliberate disinformation campaign.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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