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

See Examples For:

extensively

While drugmakers are using AI extensively in the drug-development process, the technology’s magic can’t neatly transform an arduous process of identifying promising molecules and then testing them extensively on the human body.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

While scientists have learned a great deal about the early stages of learning, much less has been known about what happens after a skill has been practiced extensively and becomes almost effortless.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

Few works of American literature are as extensively analyzed and critiqued for their impact, for good or ill, on our cultural mythmaking.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026

High pressure across the UK will keep conditions dry and settled for most over the next two days, allowing the heat to build extensively.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

This experiment was carefully prepared, extensively tested on animals, and statistically validated.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Related Words

• broadly
• largely