extensively

American  

[ik-sten-siv-lee] / ɪkˈstɛn sɪv li /

adverb

1. so as to cover a wide range or area; broadly.

   He reads and travels extensively and is regarded as one of the best-informed men anywhere.

2. in a far-reaching, comprehensive way; thoroughly.

   All the science departments have been extensively renovated, with new tutorial rooms and well-equipped laboratories.

3. at great length or in great detail.

   He spoke extensively about the threats his daughter faces as a transgender individual.

4. to a great degree or in great amounts or numbers; a lot.

   Although the river is used extensively by boaters, no official map has been developed to show the best places to dock, things to see, and hazards to avoid.

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Other Word Forms

• nonextensively
  adverb
• preextensively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of extensively

extensive ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Something that happens extensively occurs in a wide or broad way — on a large scale or across a large area. When a hurricane extensively affects a state, the damage is spread over many miles. You might decide to extensively edit your anthropology paper after reading the one your friend wrote, or brag that your band will be touring extensively this summer, covering the entire Midwest. In either case, your effort is on a large scale. Extensively comes from the adjective extensive, and both words are rooted in the Latin extendere, "stretch out," from ex, "out," and tendere, "to stretch."

Example Sentences

Two of the vessel's hantavirus victims -- a married Dutch couple -- had traveled extensively in Argentina for four months, with forays into Chile and Uruguay.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

“It extensively warns about the risks of working while pregnant while failing to provide any information about pregnant workers’ legal rights and protections.”

From Salon • May 17, 2026

The company for the past few years has focused extensively on these transactions, which typically apply to mid-tier purchases and are paid off within weeks, Siemiatkowski says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

The carpet business was said to have been "extensively damaged" as a result of the blaze.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

For the last 33 years, while conducting biological exploration in New Guinea, I have been spending my field time there constantly in the company of New Guineans who still use wild plants and animals extensively.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• broadly
• largely