extensively
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
in a far-reaching, comprehensive way; thoroughly.
All the science departments have been extensively renovated, with new tutorial rooms and well-equipped laboratories.
-
at great length or in great detail.
He spoke extensively about the threats his daughter faces as a transgender individual.
-
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of extensively
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What we do want is the freedom to travel with like-minded friends, perhaps extensively, while we’re still physically able to enjoy it.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
The following month, Noboa said Ecuador would operate two MQ-9 Reaper drones, a platform used extensively by the United States for surveillance and strike missions in conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
On social media, many people in Generation Z and younger - those under 30 - post extensively about their maxxing efforts to achieve all sorts of perfection.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
This fine material, originating from different parts of the disk, could then mix extensively near the water-ice line.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
“We will be communicating extensively over the next thirty days. My job is to monitor and approve all spending.”
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
