intense

[ in-tens ]

adjective

1. existing or occurring in a high or extreme degree:

   intense heat.

2. acute, strong, or vehement, as sensations, feelings, or emotions:

   intense anger.

   Synonyms: strong, ardent, passionate, fervent

3. of an extreme kind; very great, as in strength, keenness, severity, or the like:

   an intense gale.

4. having a characteristic quality in a high degree:

   The intense sunlight was blinding.

5. strenuous or earnest, as activity, exertion, diligence, or thought:

   an intense life.

6. exhibiting a high degree of some quality or action.
7. having or showing great strength, strong feeling, or tension, as a person, the face, or language.
8. susceptible to strong emotion; emotional:

   an intense person.

9. (of color) very deep:

   intense red.

10. Photography. dense ( def 4 ).

intense

/ ɪnˈtɛns /

adjective

1. of extreme force, strength, degree, or amount

   intense heat

2. characterized by deep or forceful feelings

   an intense person

Usage

Intense is sometimes wrongly used where intensive is meant: the land is under intensive (not intense ) cultivation. Intensely is sometimes wrongly used where intently is meant: he listened intently (not intensely )

Derived Forms

• inˈtenseness, noun
• inˈtensely, adverb

Other Words From

• in·tense·ly adverb
• in·tense·ness noun
• hy·per·in·tense adjective
• hy·per·in·tense·ness noun
• o·ver·in·tense adjective
• o·ver·in·tense·ness noun
• su·per·in·tense adjective
• su·per·in·tense·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intense¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin intēnsus, variant of intentus, past participle of the verb intendere “to stretch toward”; in- ², tense ¹, intent ², intend

Word History and Origins

Origin of intense¹

C14: from Latin intensus stretched, from intendere to stretch out; see intend

Example Sentences

Cronin and his staff doggedly pursued Nikolas Khamenia, a star forward from Harvard-Westlake, as part of an intense recruiting battle that ultimately went in Duke’s favor when Khamenia announced last month that he would become a Blue Devil.

From Los Angeles Times

This connection helped Doupe and Petticrew get through some dark days on set and also served the storytelling well: the Price sisters have what can only described as an intense, codependent relationship, which becomes even more deeply intertwined during their imprisonment.

From Los Angeles Times

The Uefa Nations League match is under intense scrutiny following the violence after last Thursday’s match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Netherlands.

From BBC

“The first round was pretty intense because you don’t know what to expect. You don’t know how you’re going to feel. Is this going to hit me immediately? Is it going to be devastating? Am I going to walk out of here?”

From Los Angeles Times

“They’re extremely motivated defensively. They’ve jelled together and practices are so intense.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acute
• bitter
• deep
• energetic
• excessive
• extraordinary
• extreme
• fierce
• great
• harsh
• heightened
• intensified
• intensive
• powerful
• profound
• protracted
• sharp
• strong
• violent
• vivid