intensely

American

[in-tens-lee] / ɪnˈtɛns li /

adverb

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

intense ( def. ) + -ly

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."

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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.

It was immediately clear we’d focused intensely on every detail of our kite-making process but that.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026

"As soon as I arrived in Port Sudan, I prostrated in the airport and cried intensely because I never imagined I would reach a safe haven," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Michelle Foa said her mother had “this extraordinary personality that was intensely energetic.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Although it was a state trial court decision, Brown’s case had been intensely covered by the national press, and it was no doubt the most consequential trial in U.S. history until that time.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

These extraordinary accomplishments of not only incredible nautical and scientific achievements but also intensely personal stories of courage and determination combine to make every wreck between the covers of this book a compelling human story.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023