Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

extensive

American  
[ik-sten-siv] / ɪkˈstɛn sɪv /

adjective

  1. of great extent; wide, broad.

    an extensive area.

    Synonyms:
    vast , ample , spacious , large , extended
    Antonyms:
    confined , narrow , narrow , limited
  2. covering or extending over a great area.

    extensive travels.

  3. far-reaching; comprehensive; thorough.

    extensive knowledge.

    Antonyms:
    parochial , confined , narrow , narrow , limited
  4. lengthy.

    an extensive journey.

  5. great in amount, number, or degree.

    an extensive fortune; extensive political influence.

  6. of or having extension.

    Space is extensive, time durational.

  7. noting or pertaining to a system of agriculture involving the use or cultivation of large areas of land with a minimum of labor and expense (intensive ).


extensive British  
/ ɪkˈstɛnsɪv /

adjective

  1. having a large extent, area, scope, degree, etc; vast

    extensive deserts

    an extensive inheritance

  2. widespread

    extensive coverage in the press

  3. agriculture involving or farmed with minimum expenditure of capital or labour, esp depending on a large area of land Compare intensive

  4. physics of or relating to a property, measurement, etc, of a macroscopic system that is proportional to the size of the system Compare intensive

    heat is an extensive property

  5. logic

    1. of or relating to logical extension

    2. (of a definition) in terms of the objects to which the term applies rather than its meaning

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • extensively adverb
  • extensiveness noun
  • extensivity noun
  • nonextensive adjective
  • nonextensiveness noun
  • preextensive adjective

Etymology

Origin of extensive

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin extēnsīvus, equivalent to Latin extēns(us) (past participle of extendere “to stretch out”) + -īvus adjective suffix; extend, -ive

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.

Beneath the open grasslands and shallow waters lie the remains of extensive earthworks, raised agricultural fields, and interconnected canals that reflect a long history of people adapting to a dynamic environment.

From Science Daily

The movie likely benefited from its strong franchise recognition in China — Disney opened a “Zootopia”-themed land at Shanghai Disneyland in 2023 and embarked on an extensive marketing campaign before the film’s release.

From Los Angeles Times

New York City was badly affected, with extensive looting, and was under curfew for a week in June.

From The Wall Street Journal

The team examined 70 products, including both imported and locally produced items, creating what they describe as the most extensive investigation in the country to date on chemical contamination in toys.

From Science Daily

However, AfghanEvac, a group that helped resettle Afghans in the US after the military withdrawal, said they had undergone "some of the most extensive security vetting" of any migrants.

From Barron's