intensely
Americanadverb
-
to a high or extreme degree.
Many ingredients are rolled into this intensely flavorful and very versatile curry paste.
-
(said in reference to emotions or feelings) acutely, strongly, or vehemently.
We should all be intensely angry about what is happening, and should do something besides just sitting at our computers absorbing information.
I disliked the book intensely.
-
earnestly or strenuously; in a highly engaged or involved way.
The first time I watched the documentary, all I saw was these four people talking intensely about their music.
Other Word Forms
- hyperintensely adverb
- overintensely adverb
- superintensely adverb
Etymology
Origin of intensely
Explanation
Anything that happens in an extreme or profound way is done intensely, like your practice of staring intensely at your cat in an attempt to read his mind. A roaring fire burns intensely, and you'd be the first to admit that you love your dog intensely. This fierce and strong adverb works well for things that are literally or figuratively powerful, so you can study intensely for your geometry quiz or witness an intensely destructive earthquake. The Latin root, intensus, means "stretched, strained, or tight."
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.
“To have this intensely coherent collection disturbed by this brazen theft is a tragedy.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
These quasars can shine so intensely that they outshine their entire host galaxy.
From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026
"I think the main reason is to make money, which is so intensely wrong."
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
Playing more slowly on the ball in theory may have helped Chelsea's players rest during the game before then pressing more intensely for shorter periods.
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
The chinks on the window slats changed color, from russet to an intensely dark blue that deepened into impenetrable darkness, until it didn’t matter if my eyes were open or closed.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
Definitions 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.
