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

The Widow Ashton wore yet another gloomy yet fashionable head covering from her extensive wardrobe of mourning caps; the veil covered her face so that her reaction could not be seen.

Read more on Literature

The NPR science team has done extensive coverage on the history of the STM and the growing field of spatial teleportation.

Read more on Literature

The analysis of the remains, conducted by researchers from Cardiff University, the Mary Rose Trust, and the British Geological Survey, were among the most extensive ever undertaken.

Read more on Literature

According to the statement by prosecutors, Hezbollah has been running "an extensive drone programme for some time".

Read more on BBC

A more extensive upgrade that moves the position of that engine’s air inlet is set to be available for new aircraft deliveries.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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