extensive

[ ik-sten-siv ]

adjective

1. of great extent; wide, broad:

   an extensive area.

   Synonyms: vast, ample, spacious, large, extended

   Antonyms: confined, narrow, limited

2. covering or extending over a great area:

   extensive travels.

3. far-reaching; comprehensive; thorough:

   extensive knowledge.

   Antonyms: parochial, confined, 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

/ ɪkˈstɛnsɪv /

adjective

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

   an extensive inheritance

   extensive deserts

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

Derived Forms

• exˈtensively, adverb
• exˈtensiveness, noun

Other Words From

• ex·ten·sive·ly adverb
• ex·ten·sive·ness ex·ten·siv·i·ty [ek-sten-, siv, -i-tee, ik-], noun
• non·ex·ten·sive adjective
• non·ex·ten·sive·ness noun
• pre·ex·ten·sive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of extensive¹

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

The smog is extensive enough to be visible from space.

From BBC

For “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” it was the practical effects, which made extensive use of prosthetics, puppets and some stop-motion animation.

From Los Angeles Times

The extensive treatment and purification process, in addition to testing, will ensure that the drinking water will be “incredibly safe once it’s pumped out and served to our customers,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

He said the Oceangate team took safety seriously, with extensive briefings before each descent.

From BBC

The firm added that was health and safety was its "highest priority" and the incident led to an "extensive internal review".

From BBC

Related Words

• broad
• comprehensive
• considerable
• expanded
• huge
• large
• large-scale
• lengthy
• major
• pervasive
• protracted
• sweeping
• vast
• voluminous
• wide-ranging